To Reconstruct 1 cm³ of Land, It Requires a Centennial
Author:Wu Mali(1957-)
Category：Installation Art
Media:Soil and wooden board
Year：2023
Size description：Dimensions variable
Introduction：The conceptual work was first exhibited in Wu Mali’s 2023 solo show “Wu Mali: Dàng.” The piece comprises multiple wooden containers, each standing 90 centimeters tall, arranged on the floor to form a large-scale installation filled with soil. The installation shows the Chinese characters meaning “To Reconstruct 1cm³ of Land, It Requires a Centennial.” As viewers step into the space, they follow the slanted angle of the text, reading the message while observing the soil-filled structures. The mention of “a centennial” in the work emphasizes the lengthy recovery period required for polluted soil to return to a fertile state. Soil, as the foundation of all earthly existence, is inextricably linked to the ecological balance. Human action, if neglected, can trigger an irreversible spiral of destruction.
Author Introduction：「Wu Mali」-Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Wu graduated from the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf. The artist’s research and artistic practice continue the avant-garde tradition, focusing on the active engagement of art in the public sphere. In the 1990s, her work critically examined political and social issues from a feminist perspective. Beginning in 2000, she began developing new forms of community-based public art projects. In recent years, she has largely been concerned with environmental issues, using art as an intermediary between humanity and nature, and manifesting the diverse possibilities of artistic forms.
Accession number:20240021