First Stop : The Asia Society Museum

The Asia Society Museum located on  725 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10021. It offers both traditional or contemporary art depending on the current exhibit. When I went, I saw the Lin Tianmiao exhibit. Lin Tianmiao is a Chinese artist. Many of her works are based off her time in China and her thoughts and feelings of China’s government and policies. Without further ado, let’s go in!

One of the works, “All the Same” showed the shape of human bones wrapped in colorful thread. It was definitely a very different way of looking at the human body. At first I was more interested with the rainbow colors of thread lying on the floor that I completely disregarded the bones on top. I believe the tour guide said the reason Lin Tianmiao chose colorful thread was to make it look happier. Happy human bones? Interesting.

Another work that I have a strong impression of was “Chatting.” It showed sculptures of women, all with deformed bodies. An audio clip plays a variety of languages to create an image of them all talking. Occasionally, the audio clip plays laughter and it echoes throughout the room. It definitely creeped me out at first. I think later I read that it was a political statement Lin Tianmiao was trying to make about China. China’s government restricts the thoughts of its citizens. This was probably a reason why Lin Tianmiao left China for America.

This trip to Asia Society Museum was highly entertaining. I was surprised with how Lin Tianmiao incorporated human bodies with her art. It was definitely a new, refreshing way of looking at art. This goes to show how different situations can incite emotions, which, in turn, create new forms art. This was a fun and educational experience.

The Asia Society Museum is located on

725 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10021

(212) 288-6400