Recently, a fascinating live art discussion was held at the Rococo Art Center in Beijing. The protagonist was the young artist Jia Wei. He was once the founder and CEO of Rococo, but now he is no longer a business magnate or a design master. Instead, he thinks about becoming an outstanding "artist" day and night.

A number of distinguished representatives from the art world participated in the roundtable discussion, including"Like Flowers in the Wild" exhibition chief curator Zhang Zikang, young artist Jia Wei himself, art critic Dr. Duan Shaofeng, and executive director of the China Contemporary Art Archives Dr. Tan Wei. The on-site discussion took Jia Wei's personal experience as the starting point and deeply explored many issues in contemporary art creation, from the healing function of contemporary art, to the interaction between art and design, to the impact of consumerism and post-consumerism, extending to Issues such as the universal value and commercial value of art. This symposium has excellent academic value. This symposium will have a profound and positive impact on contemporary art creation and public exchange of ideas.
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Artist Jia Wei’s artistic experience
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Over the past three years, I have experienced a process of artistic self-exploration and transformation.Initially, painting was just a means of self-healing for me.It all started after a fire incident in 2018. At that time, I drew with colored pencils and tried to recover from the disaster. The painting shows the self-image of the inner world, which I call "Ruhua", which means "life is endless, the flower is the world".

2019,I returned to my hometown of Ningxia with my friends. An experience in the desert gave me new inspiration: colorful people on the dunes were like desert flowers. that moment,I feel that "everyone is like a flower", everyone deserves to be healed and deserves to show their brilliance.

 

As time went on, my artistic horizons continued to expand.I incorporate a variety of life forms into my work, such as baby elephants, crocodiles and frogs, which reflect my new understanding of the diversity of life. I began to think: If human beings could live forever, would they be able to have infinite changes and creativity like the mythical Sun Wukong?

I am grateful to Teacher Zhang Zikang for introducing me to the concept of "symbiosis". It not only enriches my artistic creation, but also deepens my understanding of the essence of life. I believe that art is not only a means of healing;It should also engage in dialogue with society and explore our deep connections to the world.

In art schools, students usually lay a solid foundation first and then continue to explore their individuality. This is a process of continuous investment and exploration. However, Jia Wei’s growth path is different.His early artistic training did not conform to the academic model,This difference gives him more creative freedom,At the same time, we also face different challenges.

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Jia Wei's creative works are still "quite young". It is interesting to interpret his works through my knowledge and experience and discover the deeper meanings in them. at the same timeI have mixed feelings about Jia Wei’s artistic creation.His work is profound and thought-provoking, but I feel that he has not yet fully connected his creations with his most mature experiences. In terms of design and image creation, I saw that he made attempts, such as using Lego to connect design and creation, but this did not achieve true self-analysis.

He went through a transformation process, from a harsh and strict manager to a person who became more tolerant and optimistic after experiencing pain. EveryIndividual experiences and feelings are unique, and how these experiences influence our view of artists and their work, is a topic worth pondering.

What you said is very true. In terms of design, I have really high requirements for every proposal I make. What I pursue is not only customer satisfaction, but also their inner resonance and enthusiastic response. I always hope that my designs can touch people's hearts and achieve the effect of making people stand up and applaud. This pursuit may be a bit idealistic, but it is my motivation to keep moving forward and improving.

You said that I haven't achieved that effect in art, which makes me a little sad, but also makes me more determined to keep working hard. There is a difference between art and design. Art is more about expressing inner world and personal feelings, while design often needs to consider practicality and user experience. But I believe that continuous practice and exploration will eventually narrow the distance between the two.

You said that my works are "quite young", which made me struggle for a long time. On the one hand, "young" means energetic and innovative, which is the state I strive to pursue; on the other hand, "young" may also mean immature and lacking depth. I am inspired by your explanation and am happy that my work can show freedom and nature. At the same time, I will strive to make my artistic expression and life experience richer and more mature.

In this conversation, I tried to understand the "youth" mentioned by Teacher Zhang. My understanding of "young": Others always think that I am very mature, but in fact I think I am still very young, like a child at heart.

I have always believed that art and life are closely related.There is a delicate balance between Jia Wei's artwork and his lifestyle. Whether it is the concept of immortality, symbiosis, doppelgänger, or stand-in, it is not only an important element in art, but also reflects real life. This integration of life and art is also reflected in the layout of Jia Wei’s living and working space. The studio is upstairs, and the office and daily affairs are below. Creation and business work are intertwined in the same building. Entering any space is an independent identity.

I was attracted by the strong contrasts and metaphors in Jia Wei’s works.His art always seems to hide deeper stories, although those stories are not directly presented., these hidden stories are similar to Jia Zhangke's film works, such as "Platform" and "Xiao Wu" are both presentations of his personal stories. His latest work seems to be a summary of past stories, telling the story of an era. s story. In Jia Wei's works, he is not only narrating personal experiences, but also depicting the outline of an era.

Our generation is in a state of self-reflection, exploring the relationship between individuals and the times through the mutual influence of art and life.Jia Wei's works are like a microcosm of this kind of reflection and exploration., leading us to think about the deeper connection between life and art.

 

Jia Wei has frequently appeared in the database of Peking University’s Chinese Contemporary Art Archives in the past two years, and as a researcher, I have become very interested. In his works,I feel a strong sense of the times. They are like a mirror, reflecting many aspects of the real world.

Jia Wei is not only creating art, he is also practicing a kind of psychological healing. From a psychological perspective,His works are consistent with Freud's concept of "id, ego, superego" to some extent.. The three states of life reflected in Jia Wei's works seem to be silently talking to our inner world, inspiring us to think about different aspects of life.

Regarding the social theory of spectacle proposed by Clark, Jia Wei’s works also carry out a profound exploration and response.In his view, art is not only individual expression, but also a way of social connection.Real society has been transformed into a visual landscape, and new forms of expression and connotation have been found in Jia Wei's works.

Finally, Jia Wei uses eyes in his works. Among all sensory perceptions, vision is undoubtedly the most important. According to research, 87% of human perception comes from vision. This also explains whyThe images of eyes in Jia Wei's works are so striking that they can still tell the entire story without the aid of words., conveying deep emotions and messages. When I looked into that child's eyes, it all seemed clear.

Overall, I am full of respect and curiosity for Jia Wei’s works. I think there are still many layers worthy of our continued exploration and research.

This outlook on life allows me to experience different identities at different stages of life:I will be a designer for 20 years and an artist for the next 20 years. Even when I am 70 years old, I can still become a poet.

"Zhang Hui Life" Life is like a book with multiple chapters, which means that my life can be like "Journey to the West", where each chapter is a brand new story and character. I might experience various characters and adventures, like the Monkey King who transformed from a little stone monkey into various forms of heroes.I may experience different lives in different places and at different times.Today I will tell the story of Sun Wukong’s adventure in Pansi Cave, and tomorrow I may tell another new chapter of the story in Huaguo Mountain.

In this life, I am not limited to a fixed role or identity.I am ever-changing, I can be anyone or anything, and my life is not limited by time and space. This outlook on life allows me to enjoy every transition and every exploration in life. This is a truly diverse and rich life.

The second point is, Consumerism has been developing for a long time since the era of American consumerism, especially the rise of Pop Art. Now the world is entering an era of post-consumerism, an era in which spiritual consumption and emotional value begin to surpass material diversity. China has achieved material diversification through rapid development over the past 30 years. China has become one of the countries with the richest material diversity in the world, whether in production, manufacturing or design. On my platform, I have raised thousands of sub-platforms, gathered 50,000 designers, and millions of single product designers, who use AI to design.

The art I am currently doing is trying to explore the logic of spiritual consumption in the post-consumer era.This kind of spiritual consumption, if traced back to history, can be extended from Zhuangzi's "Dream Butterfly" thought to the concept of the metaverse discussed today. I am trying to construct the possibility of a new post-consumer era, because art in the past consumer era has been defined by many artists, such as Jeff Koons from the United States. And now, can China's new generation of young artists find new possibilities in the spiritual logic of post-consumerism?

As China's economy shifts from a 30-year rise to a downturn, the decrease in material may actually lead to an increase in spiritual value. in suchIn the era of spiritual upsurge, new logic of emotional value consumption will inevitably appear, and even dream-making conceptual artists will appear.This is why I created the Flower Series and combined it with NFT and APP, because I believe that the real artistic dream is a greater dream that breaks away from the traditional easel.

In the end, the form isn't what matters, it's the idea behind it that counts. In this area, I am still exploring future possibilities.
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Jia Wei organically integrates design and art

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First,Jia Wei’s artistic style and design background. Jia Wei's picture processing is very stable and his use of color is full of power. From a design point of view, his sense of color is outstanding. Although his works do not seem to have a direct connection with his design background in terms of creative form and language, his design background is definitely present in his artistic creation. Played a big role.There are no obvious bugs in his pictures. For non-professional artists, this is his characteristic., is also a highlight of his works.

Second point,He combines personal experience and aesthetics in his creations, which forms a special link in his work, this is not only reflected in individual works, but also in his entire artistic path. In the solo exhibition at Shanghai Powerlong Art Museum, we can feel from his works that he constantly pushes the boundaries of his creation. This enterprising spirit is worthy of our discussion and study.

In addition, as an artist, Jia Wei's success in design and client communication reflects his extremely high emotional intelligence and management skills. He is able to understand and discuss works from the client's perspective. This ability is consistent with his paintings. Creation is inextricably linked. His creations are no longer just based on personal emotions, but can connect the audience's thinking through personal feelings. This is the connection between his artistic creation and design communication ability.

In general, Jia Wei is a special case worthy of our in-depth study. He is not only an artist, but also a thinker, a creator who can combine personal emotions with social consciousness. I am full of curiosity and respect for his work and creative methods, and I look forward to continuing to witness the further development of his art.

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In my understanding,Jia Wei is not only an artist, his way of thinking and behavior reflect the innovative spirit of an entrepreneur. It is uncommon for many artists to incorporate an entrepreneurial mindset into artistic creation. This innovative spirit is reflected in his continuous exploration of art media, his diversified attempts at artistic expression, and his keen insight into the art market.

In Jia Wei's artistic practice, he can naturally integrate these two seemingly completely different spirits.The innovation he demonstrates in his artistic creation is not just an innovation in technology or media, but also a refreshment of concepts and ideas.

The relationship between art and design has always been complex and subtle. In the past, design was regarded as a branch of art, focusing on practicality and service. Today, the lines between the two are increasingly blurred. Design not only serves function, it has risen to the level of aesthetic expression, beginning to give back and influence art in a completely new way.

The influence of modern design has penetrated into every cell of contemporary art. Design is no longer a simple problem-solving tool, it has become a cultural and aesthetic force. This force drives art forward, prompting some artists to incorporate design elements into their works and use design language and methods to express artistic concepts. For example, the rise of consumerism and the popularization of screen culture have given visual elements and aesthetic trends of design an important role in artistic creation. The works of young artists are often inspired by screen culture, and their paintings reflect the design styles of daily life.

At the same time, a factory-like production method has also emerged in the art world, which is very similar to the operation mode of a business. Artists such as Damian Hirst and Eliasson have their studios like a big company. There, the creation of artistic works became more systematic and large-scale. Art and design, art and business, art and business management, in the practice of these artists, the boundaries between these fields become increasingly blurred.

As an artist born in the 1970s, Jia Wei has shown his unique creativity in this context. His art is not only a personal peculiarity, but also part of the characteristics of the entire era. From his works we canThe close relationship between art and design, art and consumer culture, art and technology is observed. These relationships are evident not only in his works, but also in his way of thinking and creative process.

Through such interweaving, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complexity and diversity of contemporary art. Jia Wei's artistic practice finds his own unique path between particularity and universality.

They evoke emotional resonance in me. I seem to be able to put myself into the topics depicted in the works, and experience and feel those delicate and rich emotions.What Jia Wei once mentioned about emotions makes me even more convinced that emotions are the most beautiful things in the world.

The beauty of emotion lies in its uncontrollability. We can control our jobs, our choices of friends, and even the path of our lives to some extent, but love and emotions are not bound by these rules. They are free, a truly free expression of our inner being, independent of any rational being.
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Because of this, my love for this group of works in spring, summer, autumn and winter comes from the beautiful emotions I can feel in them. This emotion directly touched me, and my first intuitive feeling was that of beauty and sincerity.Jia Wei's art works gave me a special experience and made me feel the power of emotions, and its important value in artistic expression.
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In today's contemporary art world, Jia Wei

What is the most precious thing?
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Many artists, especially those with non-professional backgrounds, often lack appropriate channels to convey their art. Sometimes, works of art are too esoteric and inaccessible to the average person.

As a contemporary art worker, my friends often ask me what contemporary art is. I think artists like Jia Wei have solved the important task of conveying to the public what contemporary art is, what art should be, and aesthetic issues.

I know that art needs to have a certain height and seriousness, but art should not just be high and mighty., I hope that my artistic works can have universal logic like my designs and can touch everyone's heart.China currently lacks such universal artists.Take Japan’s Yayoi Kusama as an example. Even children know her polka dot art. But in China, it is difficult for us to find a contemporary artist that even a child can recognize.

The development of contemporary art requires not only height, but also breadth and depth. Altitude is very important and we all strive for it.My pursuit is to make art accessible to everyone, even if it means I need to sacrifice some of the height of art, so that more ordinary people can come into contact with art, be moved by art, and understand art.I believe that as long as the work of art has long-term value, as I am willing to invest 20 years or more in pursuit of, heights will naturally follow.

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1. The universality and approachability of art:

Jia Wei's artistic practice is deeply rooted in the pursuit of the universal value of art. His works are not limited to the high walls of the elite art circle, but return to daily life in an unpretentious way. His artistic creation touches people's hearts, making everyone feel the warmth of art. This deep-rooted universal nature makes art a part of life, rather than just a lofty concept.

2. Simple artistic pursuit and cultural heritage:

While Jia Wei was pursuing art, he did not forget the original intention of art. He insisted on the height of art while emphasizing its breadth and depth. This comprehensive understanding of the development of art shows his profound cultural heritage and understanding of the far-reaching significance of art. In the current art environment that pursues complexity and incomprehensibility, Jia Wei insists on creating and expressing in a more accessible way, making art more people-friendly and closer to people's hearts. This is very precious.

3. The balance between universal values ​​and consumerism:

In his creations, Jia Wei demonstrates a deep understanding and skillful balance of the relationship between universal values ​​and consumer culture. Despite the ubiquity of consumerism in contemporary society, Jia Wei's work is not entirely defined by it. In his work, he reveals the influence of market demand and consumption patterns, showing that this influence is not necessarily negative. On the contrary, it can also provide impetus for the popularization and dissemination of art, making art more widely accepted and understood.

He neither rejected the market nor completely succumbed to market pressure. His works are both intrinsically profound and extrinsically attractive, able to stimulate people's thinking while also providing enjoyment of beauty. Jia Wei’s artistic practice allows us to see,As an artist, you should not be limited by any category and should transcend a single value judgment.In his works, universal values ​​and consumerism do not confront each other, but reinforce each other, making his art a unique existence.

The value of artistic works is the result of multiple correlations, which not only depends on the art itself, but also includes the joint effects of market demand, cultural significance, historical background and other factors.When looking at Jia Wei's work, we should try to understand it from multiple angles, just like looking at a three-dimensional object, we want to see every side of it. usWorks can be interpreted from a historical perspective, a social perspective, a technical perspective, and even an emotional perspective. Each additional perspective gives us a deeper understanding of the world, which also gives us a broader understanding of the value of a work of art. In this era of diversity, the significance of a work of art lies not only in itself, but also in the thoughts and feelings it can evoke, and how it connects with the audience.

When talking about the creative value of Jia Wei, I am not just talking about the physical form of a painting or a sculpture, but also about the story behind it, the enlightenment it brings to us, and how it is found in this complex world. own position. This is the unique value of Jia Wei’s works.

In future creations, Zhang Zikang has put forward expectations for Jia Wei's creations, and I have a strong feeling in my heart thatArtists need space to breathe and grow, and should not be constrained by too many external evaluations and expectations. I would rather see Jia Wei create freely in an undisturbed state so that his talent can bloom in a more sincere and pure environment.

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As an artist, my heart is full of tangles. First of all, I am no longer the CEO of Rococo. I have decided to resign. The position of CEO requires daily management, and I can only manage weekly. This is irresponsible to the company. My 20-plus years at Rococo have brought it to a new level, and I think it’s time to hand over the baton to my partner who has been with me for 13 years.

Secondly, I have devoted myself wholeheartedly to thinking about the spirit of post-consumerism. I have profound thoughts and expectations about the imagination economy, post-consumerism, and the appearance of great artists that may emerge in China in the future. This has become a topic that I think about day and night.

As Teacher Zhang said, I use money to support my artistic pursuits. I invested all the money I earned over the past 20 years. This is my capital investment. I believe that if a person invests time, effort and money, and has a long-term value of 20 years, I think there is nothing that cannot be accomplished. This is what makes me unique.

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