Wang Jianwei's Time Temple Exhibition at Guggenheim Marks Curator Berghuis's Ambitious Debut
Thomas J. Berghuis commenced his position as curator of Chinese art at the Guggenheim with a solo showcase featuring Beijing artist Wang Jianwei, whose works have seen minimal exposure in North America. Titled Time Temple, the exhibition displayed a significant four-panel painting, sculptures that directed the audience, and a film called The Morning Time Disappeared, drawing inspiration from Kafka. Additionally, a live performance named Spiral Ramp Library referenced Jorge Luis Borges's 'The Library of Babel.' Wang's diverse artistic approach emphasizes the creative journey, and the exhibition incorporated philosophical themes that demanded profound contemplation. Berghuis's goal was to elevate the global standing of Chinese contemporary art through this notable exhibition, which was highlighted in the Spring 2015 edition of ArtReview Asia.
Key facts
- Thomas J. Berghuis curated the exhibition as his debut at the Guggenheim
- Wang Jianwei is a Beijing-based artist with a 30-year career
- The exhibition featured the monumental painting Time Temple from 2014
- A film component, The Morning Time Disappears, was inspired by Kafka
- A live performance, Spiral Ramp Library, referenced Borges and the museum's architecture
- Wang's work includes painting, sculpture, video, performance, and theatre
- The exhibition aimed to redefine Chinese contemporary art in a global context
- The review was published in ArtReview Asia's Spring 2015 issue
Entities
Artists
- Wang Jianwei
- Thomas J. Berghuis
- Jorge Luis Borges
Institutions
- Guggenheim
- ArtReview Asia
Locations
- New York
- United States
- Beijing
- China