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Ma Liuming

Ma Liuming

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Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Ma Liuming, Fen-Ma Liuming and the Fish, 1995

Ma Liuming

Fen-Ma Liuming and the Fish, 1995
Gelatin silver print
38.5 x 50 cm
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Fen Ma Liuming, the alter ego of artist Ma Liuming, was a significant figure in the performance art scene of the Beijing East Village during the early 1990s. His performances...
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Fen Ma Liuming, the alter ego of artist Ma Liuming, was a significant figure in the performance art scene of the Beijing East Village during the early 1990s. His performances in 1994 were particularly notable for their exploration of gender identity and the body, often pushing the boundaries of societal norms in China.

Key Aspects of Fen Ma Liuming's Performances in 1994
Alter Ego Creation: Fen Ma Liuming is characterized as a hybrid figure, embodying both masculine and feminine traits. This persona allowed Ma Liuming to challenge traditional gender roles and explore themes of identity and transformation [3].
Provocative Themes: His performances often included elements of nudity and were designed to provoke thought about the repression of the body in post-Tiananmen Square China. This was a direct response to the cultural climate of the time, where expressions of individuality were heavily censored [1].
Notable Performances:
One of his early performances, "Fen-Ma Liuming's Lunch 1," involved Ma sitting nude while engaging in provocative actions, which led to his arrest for two months in 1994. This incident highlighted the tensions between artistic expression and governmental restrictions [3].
His performances were often held in private settings, reflecting the underground nature of the East Village art scene, where artists collaborated and experimented with their work away from public scrutiny [1].
Impact and Legacy: The performances of Fen Ma Liuming contributed significantly to the discourse on performance art in China, marking a period of intense creativity and experimentation among the East Village artists. His work has since been recognized as a pivotal part of contemporary Chinese art history [2].
Fen Ma Liuming's performances in 1994 not only showcased his artistic vision but also served as a form of resistance against societal norms, making a lasting impact on the landscape of performance art in China.

Learn more:

1. Beijing East Village - Display at Tate Modern | Tate
2. MA LIUMING | 马六明 | CHINESE NEW ART | chinesenewart
3. Ma Liuming - Wikipedia
Fen Ma Liuming, the alter ego of artist Ma Liuming, was a significant figure in the performance art scene of the Beijing East Village during the early 1990s. His performances in 1994 were particularly notable for their exploration of gender identity and the body, often pushing the boundaries of societal norms in China.

Key Aspects of Fen Ma Liuming's Performances in 1994
Alter Ego Creation: Fen Ma Liuming is characterized as a hybrid figure, embodying both masculine and feminine traits. This persona allowed Ma Liuming to challenge traditional gender roles and explore themes of identity and transformation [3].
Provocative Themes: His performances often included elements of nudity and were designed to provoke thought about the repression of the body in post-Tiananmen Square China. This was a direct response to the cultural climate of the time, where expressions of individuality were heavily censored [1].
Notable Performances:
One of his early performances, "Fen-Ma Liuming's Lunch 1," involved Ma sitting nude while engaging in provocative actions, which led to his arrest for two months in 1994. This incident highlighted the tensions between artistic expression and governmental restrictions [3].
His performances were often held in private settings, reflecting the underground nature of the East Village art scene, where artists collaborated and experimented with their work away from public scrutiny [1].
Impact and Legacy: The performances of Fen Ma Liuming contributed significantly to the discourse on performance art in China, marking a period of intense creativity and experimentation among the East Village artists. His work has since been recognized as a pivotal part of contemporary Chinese art history [2].
Fen Ma Liuming's performances in 1994 not only showcased his artistic vision but also served as a form of resistance against societal norms, making a lasting impact on the landscape of performance art in China.

Learn more:

1. Beijing East Village - Display at Tate Modern | Tate
2. MA LIUMING | 马六明 | CHINESE NEW ART | chinesenewart
3. Ma Liuming - Wikipedia
Fen Ma Liuming, the alter ego of artist Ma Liuming, was a significant figure in the performance art scene of the Beijing East Village during the early 1990s. His performances in 1994 were particularly notable for their exploration of gender identity and the body, often pushing the boundaries of societal norms in China.

Key Aspects of Fen Ma Liuming's Performances in 1994
Alter Ego Creation: Fen Ma Liuming is characterized as a hybrid figure, embodying both masculine and feminine traits. This persona allowed Ma Liuming to challenge traditional gender roles and explore themes of identity and transformation [3].
Provocative Themes: His performances often included elements of nudity and were designed to provoke thought about the repression of the body in post-Tiananmen Square China. This was a direct response to the cultural climate of the time, where expressions of individuality were heavily censored [1].
Notable Performances:
One of his early performances, "Fen-Ma Liuming's Lunch 1," involved Ma sitting nude while engaging in provocative actions, which led to his arrest for two months in 1994. This incident highlighted the tensions between artistic expression and governmental restrictions [3].
His performances were often held in private settings, reflecting the underground nature of the East Village art scene, where artists collaborated and experimented with their work away from public scrutiny [1].
Impact and Legacy: The performances of Fen Ma Liuming contributed significantly to the discourse on performance art in China, marking a period of intense creativity and experimentation among the East Village artists. His work has since been recognized as a pivotal part of contemporary Chinese art history [2].
Fen Ma Liuming's performances in 1994 not only showcased his artistic vision but also served as a form of resistance against societal norms, making a lasting impact on the landscape of performance art in China.

Learn more:

1. Beijing East Village - Display at Tate Modern | Tate
2. MA LIUMING | 马六明 | CHINESE NEW ART | chinesenewart
3. Ma Liuming - Wikipedia
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Exhibitions

RED 2011
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