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Art

Shen Shaomin: Experimental Studio: The Thousand Hand Buddha and Bonsai

When

Opens Thursday Sep 4, 2008 (6–9pm)

Sep 4, 2008 – Sep 28, 2008

Tuesdays–Saturdays (11am–7pm)

Sundays (11am–5pm)

Where

Frey Norris Gallery

456 Geary St

415.346.7812

Price

Free

Links

Frey Norris Gallery says…

Chinese artist Shen Shaomin uses mismatched groups of human and animal bones (some real, some cast in plaster) to form skeletal creatures that wouldn't look out of place in a natural-history museum's evolution display. On closer inspection, though, any semblance of science gives way to mysticism. The Thousand Hand Buddha traces the nine stages of development of a many-armed Vishnu-like being whose remains are proof of both life and death. Shaomin continues these natural manipulations in his Bonsai series — inspired by ritual foot-binding, he uses metal grips and vices to contort miniature trees into aesthetic studies.