Lu Yang
24.9.-20.11.11
Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, Beijing
Religion/art/science
Lu Yang is analysing a religious figure, finding rage in it. There is something very controversial in this, mixing religion, art and science. By analysing a religious figure, it may be controversial both what you do find and what you do not find. If an x-ray photo shows a hollow plastic figure, this could be a strong critique of religion. Instead, through her analysis she finds rage.
I am not familiar with all the deities of Buddhism. This one is supposed to be the Wrathful Vajrasattva, a god that seems violent, but is the god of mercy of compassion. Lu Yang presents a god fully prepared for war and violence. The x-ray photo show a body built to carry and use a wide specter of weapons. And the video show in detail each weapon, how it is used and its skills. It is like seeing the spesifications of a computer game hero. I can not find any mild and merciful skills in the analysis.
How is it possible for a deity to be so full of rage and violence, and at the same time be the god of mercy and compassion? Or is it only about rage?
