Candice Lin, A Hard White Body

A Hard White Body is an evolving project by Candice Lin that explores fantasies surrounding whiteness and purity through porcelain assemblages and organic materials, creating an unstable sculptural ecosystem. The publication includes an essay by curator Lotte Arndt, an essay by Rizvana Bradley, a conversation between Jih-Fei Cheng and Mel Y. Chen, and a conversation between the artist and C. Riley Snorton, accompanied by a visual essay and exhibition views.

Format: Hardback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 24 January 2020
Publisher: Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts

This publication presents A Hard White Body, an evolving project by Candice Lin, which has been showcased at various venues including B tonsalon--Centre d'art et de recherche in Paris, Portikus in Frankfurt/Main, and the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts at the University of Chicago. A Hard White Body is a captivating exploration that intertwines material and nonhuman histories, alongside the life and work of three historical figures: American writer James Baldwin (1924-1987), French explorer and global traveler Jeanne Baret (1740-1807), and artist and naturalist Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717). Lin employs porcelain, a material with a rich history encompassing nineteenth-century imperial and scientific applications, to highlight fantasies surrounding whiteness and purity. However, she subverts these notions by subjecting her porcelain assemblages to pungent organic materials, thereby initiating processes of contamination between organic and inorganic elements. Through this artistic approach, Lin creates an unstable sculptural ecosystem that challenges our perceptions of purity and contamination.

In addition to an essay by curator Lotte Arndt that delves into the various iterations of Lin's project, the publication features an essay by Rizvana Bradley. This essay provides a thoughtful exploration of the themes and concepts explored in Lin's work. A conversation between Jih-Fei Cheng and Mel Y. Chen further deepens our understanding of Lin's artistic process and her influences. The conversation between the artist and C. Riley Snorton offers a unique perspective on Lin's project, shedding light on her artistic vision and the broader context in which it is situated.

To complement the textual content, the publication includes a visual essay by the artist, which offers a visual interpretation of the themes and ideas explored in the project. Additionally, a selection of exhibition views provides a glimpse into the immersive environments in which Lin's work has been presented. Overall, this publication serves as a valuable resource for those interested in contemporary art, cultural history, and the intersection of materiality and imagination.

Weight: 366g
Dimension: 148 x 230 x 11 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780692138366