Officially open today, this has to be one of the best installations in the Turbine Hall so far. The private view last night had the great and good tramping about, sitting and rolling in this sunflower seed beach (no, it wasn’t just me and my friend).
The 100 million hand painted porcelain sunflower seeds have particularly chinese associations: Chairman Mao was often portrayed as the sun with the chinese people sunflowers around him. Sunflower seeds are also a traditional snack food, often shared with friends and family. The 100 million seeds represent about 10% of the chinese population and a quarter of chinese internet users. These numbers are difficult to grasp.
Mass production by hand made in China – each sunflower seed has been painted by hand; the place and role of the individual; the importance of porcelain and the economic hardship of many chinese…there is a lot to reflect upon here combined with the sheer sensual pleasure of engaging with the material. Play and thought combined. I highly recommend the running and skidding – and falling over.
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