MENG ZHOU Solo Exhibition II Trovatore (The Troubadour) | Munich, PFEUFER 38

Sep 18, 2024

MENG ZHOU Solo Exhibition II Trovatore (The Troubadour) | Munich, PFEUFER 38

Presented by Yaoshan Contemporary Art BMCA and Nanke Gallery,

Meng Zhou's solo exhibition II Trovatore (The Troubadour)

opened at 6:00 PM on September 13, 2024, at Pfeufer 38 in Munich, Germany.

In this former workshop composed of multiple spaces,

Meng Zhou presents his new series of works,

creating four distinct scenes and contexts through the concepts of "experience, objects, and epiphany."

The Accidental Hook in the Loom of Fate, 2024, Installation (Partial View)

Meng Zhou often incorporates dance as a form of bodily and postural expression into his paintings, sculptures, and installations.

This exploration of the moving body serves as an extension of his artistic creation.

During the performance at the exhibition's opening on September 13, 2024,

Meng Zhou invited Filippo Gualandris as a "messenger" or "traveler" to embark on an unknown journey.

In this performance, the body, like a blank canvas, improvises in response to randomness and emotion.

Filippo Gualandris‘ Dance Performance II Trovatore, September 2024, in the Exhibition Hall

As visitors step into the exhibition space,

silver sculptures scattered like seeds adorn ancient totems, reminiscent of seashells strewn across the shore.

The series of paintings, Mortal World, encircles the room like a film reel,

portraying the cyclical essence of life under the vastness of nature.

Above, wooden hands, symbolizing divine power, represent the indifferent choices of fate,

intertwining human destiny with the threads of chance and inevitability.

The Accidental Hook in the Loom of Fate, 2024, Installation (Partial View)

Walking through the exhibition space,

seashells repeatedly appear as symbols of currency and memory,

becoming a central theme in the artist's works.

The interweaving of knotted ropes and shell currency creates a narrative of a journey:

objects are exchanged, stories continue, and people leave traces in their brief existence.

As a universal equivalent,

the shells are preserved, opening the door to mythical storytelling for the audience.

Rope and Shell Chronicle, 2024, Installation (Partial View)

In the third exhibition hall,

massive seashells emerge from the remnants of fierce flames,

echoing ancient stories reminiscent of Dunhuang murals—relics eroded by time.

The burned images cling to wooden surfaces, rejuvenated by the heat, telling tales of destruction and rebirth.

Wood, symbolizing tangible stories, is consumed by the fiery blaze,

while the flames represent new beginnings, like a phoenix rising from the ashes.

Mother of Pearl 1-3, 2024. Exhibition View

Mother of Pearl 3, 2024

Mother of Pearl 1 , 2024. Detail

Mother of Pearl 2, 2024. Detail

In the final room of the exhibition,

extending through glass doors into the courtyard of Pfeufer 38, the exhibition nears its end.

Here, the artist employs "eyes" embedded with stones from various places to view the world.

These eyes peer through the cracks in nature, revealing unbiased truths.

The works evoke the Eye of Horus, reminding us of the duality of observation:

we are not only the collectors of nature's stories but also the observed subjects under nature's chaotic gaze.

Souvenirs from different lands, embodying the essence of travel,

become the lingering thoughts and echoes of the exhibition.

Tearstone 1 - 4, 2024. Exhibition View

Tearstone 2, 2024

Il Trovatore (The Troubadour) is an excerpt from Meng Zhou's complex universe,

reflecting the intricacy and boundlessness of his artistic world.

As his third solo project this year,

the artist once again successfully creates a new series of works,

guiding the audience on a unique journey.

Watching Over Sleep, 2024；

Land lord of Dream, 2024；

Entangled Crossroads, 2024；

Fire Rain Rain Rain, 2024.

OPENING Ceremony Photos