Hu Bing's Shattered Debris, Sheer Transformation at Flatiron Prow Art Space

Hu Bing's installation Shattered Debris, Sheer Transformation occupied the triangular tip of the Flatiron Building at the intersection of Broadway and Fifth Avenue on 23rd Street from March 2 to June 3, 2012. The work featured broken sake bottles suspended from the ceiling, automotive glass shards, iron, resin, and chaise lounges draped with cheesecloth. A table with colored bottles placed on broken windshields was positioned at the apex, while chaise lounges formed the centerpiece. Hu Bing drew inspiration from her experiences during the Cultural Revolution in Shanghai, channeling anger and alienation into the piece. The installation also reflected her shock at witnessing car crashes outside her window in Williamsburg, her first New York residence. Through dangerous yet beautiful elements like shattered glass, the artist transformed negative emotions from tumultuous periods in both China and the United States. The work served as a dark elegy for survival, reflecting her life on the edge in two cultures. Jonathan Goodman authored the coverage, with photography by Richard Kranzler and courtesy of Cheryl McGinnis Gallery.