2011 Inner Humanity (Video)

VB-0036-010, 2011

Channel 1: 23’25”, PAL, 720 x 576, sound, color

Channel 2: 3’51”, PAL, 768 x 576, sound, color

Channel 3: 21’43”, PAL, 768 x 576, silent, color

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Cui Xiuwen’s artistic work closely approaches the concept from Buddhist thought that “human nature is inherently pure, and all phenomena are within one’s own nature” (Huineng). In civilized society, individuals are bound by demands for morality, knowledge, and refinement, yet in Buddhist philosophy, all complex theories and practices are seen as mere paths toward achieving ultimate spiritual insight. Direct and sudden enlightenment can lead us straight to our “true nature.” Through her art practice, Cui Xiuwen seems to have genuinely grasped this understanding. Consequently, she discards even the human form, seeking instead to explore phenomena related to her inner spiritual world through sound, incidental objects, and subtle, unintentional details.

In her works, Cui presents her understanding of these issues, engaging with questions that perpetually intertwine the objective and subjective worlds. These questions prompt continuous reflection, resonating on both social and personal levels. What Cui seeks to highlight, however, is that after many years of artistic practice and life reflection, her work conveys the “language of true nature.” Purpose-free actions and sounds are merely bridges, serving as mediums that inspire herself and her audience to explore deeper questions and find a spiritual resonance on a higher level.

(Text: Lv Peng)