Tianqi Liao:

Utopian Visions

July 11–July 14, 2024

15 E 40th Street, Floor 2

New York, NY 10016

 

theBLANC is pleased to present Utopian Visions, a solo exhibition of works by photographer Tianqi Liao, curated by Xiaojing Zhu. These twenty varied-sized works can be traced back to the artist’s trip to Las Vegas in 2020. By delving into the intricate fabrications within the concept of utopia, these photographs present to viewers the persistent allure of utopian ideals while scrutinizing the feasibility of achieving such visions in reality.

 

The concept of “utopia” has presented a captivating vision of a realm free from imperfections,

resplendent in its purity. Despite its evolving connotations since its inception, the essence of this ideal remains a homogenized imagination of a perfect society. Nevertheless, the etymology of utopia, which suggests it is “no place,” paradoxically hints at an unresolved tension between the age-old fantasy and its tangible realization.

 

In this exhibition, Tianqi Liao unveils a sequence of hyperrealistic moments, each imbued with

vivid yet eerie undertones. Walking through the exhibition is akin to navigating a Monopoly

game, where each photograph and the ensuing dialogues represent a scenario on the board.

We (2020) shows three individuals gazing silently in a unanimous direction, their shadows

elongating against a backdrop of blurred, nebulous projections. In another scenario, Opening

(2020) embodies Liao’s long-standing investigation into the falsehood of an ideal moment. In

this photograph, a slick man drenched in crimson aftershow light captures viewers with a crisp

silhouette. His sleek hair, the clean lines of his suit, and his unknown expressions add to the

unspoken allure of what lies ahead. Similarly, Laure (2020) displays an inscrutable expression

as she is encased in layers of plastic and partially obscured by her foggy goggles, extending

visual interpretations of enigmatic ambiguity.

 

Other unexpected combinations are positioned to cultivate intriguing visual contrasts. Shrouded in mystery, a young man engages in an inaudible dialogue with an older woman (Descriptions of an Ideal Land, 2021) while pointing to a still-life (Sunny Side Up, 2021), in which a golden yolk with its melting surface rests languidly on a heavy slice of rich cheddar. Sunbeams When They Fall (2020) is placed to create a dialogue with Blueprint (2020), which shows verdant fairways stretching out in graceful, undulating patterns. This artificial symphony of lush green hues blurs the line between a miniature model and a genuine landscape. Across the room, five translucent Monopoly-sized house models are placed on a bed of artificial lawn grass (New World, 2020), with their diaphanous colors contrasting against a pristine middle-class residence (Imagined Community, 2020) on the opposite column.

 

Through her exploration of imagined scenarios, Liao juxtaposes geometric perfection with the

mundane to capture the timeless allure and inherent contradictions of utopian ideals. These

works collectively express a compelling yet ultimately artificial vision. By providing a poignant

commentary on the interplay between visionary hope and pragmatic challenges, the exhibition

invites viewers to reflect on the complexities and tensions underlying the pursuit of such high

aspirations.

 

Artist Bio

Tianqi Liao (b. 1997) is a New York-based photographer whose works offer reflective

presentations that interrogate the interplay between reality and idealization. As an image-maker, she is interested in blending the languages of conceptual and documentary photography to position banality within a lens of scrutiny. Her work seeks to extract seemingly mundane moments to amplify them into absurdity.

 

About theBLANC

theBLANC is a versatile and dynamic art entity. Beyond visual art exhibitions, theBLANC

engages in an array of exciting initiatives such as workshops, talks, panels, performances, and

a multitude of art-related events.

 

 

Opening Reception:

 

6:00 PM–8:00 PM, July 11, 2024

General Hours:

6:00 PM–8:00 PM, Thursday, July 11

11 AM–5 PM, Friday, July 12

11 AM–5 PM, Saturday, July 13

11 AM–5 PM, Sunday, July 14

Contact Information:

Art Continuum

info@artcontinuumagency.com

Other Inquiries

Tianqi Liao

tianqi-liao@outlook.com