Li Hongbo : All Is Illusion

Li Hongbo is best known for his works of paper designed after a technique inspired by so-called honeycomb lanterns, which are traditionally seen during Chinese festivities and have been used since the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220). Upon close examination, the artist realized that these lanterns have interesting properties. On top of their flexibility, they are quite robust and can easily be folded back into their initial shape. Expanding on this technique, Li developed a process that consists in stacking and gluing together thousands of sheets of paper which he then carves like a block of marble, using a circular saw to start with, then a small grinder, then sandpaper. On average the sculptures of Li Hongbo are made of about 20 000 sheets of paper, though that number can be much higher for larger pieces.

A former book publisher, Li Hongbo was always interested in paper and its connection to education, knowledge, and culture in general. Xuan paper, or rice paper as it is sometimes called, has been used for centuries for painting and calligraphy, playing an essential role in Chinese art. “Paper is an important part of China’s cultural heritage,” he notes. “It’s had a huge effect on civilisation, but it still has more to say.”

In his reappropriation of paper and of the honeycomb lantern technique, Li Hongbo contributes to the elaboration of a new paradigm for Chinese contemporary art. For Chinese artist Xu Bing: “The role of the artist is to impart, through his artistic language, a better understanding of our contemporary world. Li’s experiments with paper show the creativity of a new generation of Chinese artists.”