Xu Bing: Book from the Sky to Book from the Ground

The written word is the most basic element of human culture, and to touch it is to touch the essence of culture. Xu Bing's Book from the Sky is a groundbreaking study into the concept of universal communication, composed entirely of pictographs and challenging the way we think about the written word.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 204 pages
\n Publication date: 12 October 2020
\n Publisher: ACC Art Books
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The written word holds immense significance as the fundamental cornerstone of human culture. To engage with the written word is to delve into the very essence of a society's heritage and traditions. In the remarkable installation piece titled "Book from the Sky," artist Xu Bing has created a work that defies conventional understanding and challenges the boundaries of language. The text of this installation is written in a unique language that resembles traditional Chinese, yet it remains enigmatic and elusive, offering only a faint semblance of meaning to those who attempt to decipher it.

Xu Bing's dedication to his art is evident in the painstaking process of carving out approximately four thousand wood blocks by hand. He spent four years, from 1987 to 1991, meticulously crafting a work that, in his own words, said nothing. This extraordinary effort reflects Xu Bing's determination to push the boundaries of artistic expression and challenge the conventional norms of communication.

Following the creation of a book that defied comprehension, Xu Bing embarked on his next project, a groundbreaking exploration of universal communication. Titled "Book from the Ground," this work is composed entirely of pictographs, offering a fresh perspective on the written word. Through his masterful use of visual symbols, Xu Bing challenges the way we perceive and interpret language, inviting us to consider the possibilities of a communication that transcends linguistic barriers.

Whether Xu Bing's intention is to provoke total comprehension or create confusion, his profound exploration of language forces us to reevaluate our assumptions about the written word. It reminds us of the power of art to challenge our perceptions, expand our horizons, and ignite new ways of thinking. "Book from the Sky" and "Book from the Ground" serve as powerful testament to the enduring significance of the written word in human culture and its potential for transcending boundaries and fostering universal understanding.

\n Weight: 684g\n
Dimension: 186 x 257 x 24 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781788840620\n \n