Chen Wei Explores Dance Floor Ecstasy in designboom Guest Essay
Born in 1980 in Zhejiang, China, Chen Wei contributed a guest essay to designboom's SPECTATOR AND SPECTACLE chapter, collaborating with SolidNature. He contemplates the notion of ecstasy, beginning with a bus advertisement for shampoo, and reminisces about his experiences in the disco and roller skating scenes of the 1990s, along with his music performances. He explores the evolving atmosphere of nightclubs. The essay includes 'In the Waves,' showcasing extras simulating dance under bright lights. Featured images comprise 'In the Waves #6,' 'In the Waves #5,' and more. Chen Wei splits his time between Beijing and Tokyo, with recent exhibitions such as 'Sweet Dreams' at Fotografiska, Shanghai (2024) and 'Make Me Illusory' at West Bund Museum, Shanghai (2021).
Key facts
- Chen Wei was born in 1980 in Zhejiang, China.
- He lives and works between Beijing and Tokyo.
- The essay is part of designboom's SPECTATOR AND SPECTACLE chapter, presented in partnership with SolidNature.
- Chen Wei's recent solo exhibition 'Sweet Dreams' was held at Fotografiska, Shanghai in 2024.
- His solo exhibition 'Make Me Illusory' took place at West Bund Museum, Shanghai in 2021.
- He had a solo exhibition 'Good Night' at HOW Art Museum, Shanghai in 2021.
- His work has been presented at M+, Hong Kong and Centre Pompidou, Paris.
- The essay includes a series titled 'In the Waves' with hundreds of extras in a film studio.
Entities
Artists
- Chen Wei
- Arthur Rimbaud
- Zhu Mo
Institutions
- designboom
- SolidNature
- Fotografiska
- West Bund Museum
- HOW Art Museum
- Centre for Contemporary Photography
- JNBY Art Space
- M+
- Centre Pompidou
- Tokyo Photographic Art Museum
- Gwangju Biennale
- Vitra Design Museum
- Asia Society
- Museum Folkwang
- 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
- UCCA Center for Contemporary Art
Locations
- Zhejiang
- China
- Beijing
- Tokyo
- Japan
- Hangzhou
- Shanghai
- Melbourne
- Australia
- Hong Kong
- Paris
- France
- Gwangju
- South Korea
- Weil am Rhein
- Germany
- Houston
- United States
- Essen
- Kanazawa