OLAF BREUNING

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CHINATOWN OBJECTS

2005 was when Americans realized that China was no longer just the producer of outsourced American products. The giant dragon started to bite back to show off his power. China was coming. I read a lot about the fast transformation of the sleeping giant. It was time for me to make an artwork about it. I strolled through the big stores in Chinatown and bought whatever I thought would become an exciting sculpture. Of course, the origin of all the materials I purchased was China. I called the sculptures Chinatown Sculptures. The vendors in the stores were always happy when I visited them; I left the stores with full bags.

After creating many different sculptures in the studio, Metro Pictures and I decided to show them at their upstairs space. It was a hilarious and uplifting show. I discovered the glue gun that, in retrospect, was a big mistake. I learned my lesson when some of the collectors started to mention that the sculptures would fall apart. Today, I know that I should never use a glue gun for an art piece that has a long life. Well, we learn by doing, I guess.

2005, Metro Pictures, Upstairs Gallery
Little Trouble in Chinatown, 2005, Working gloves, knives, 10 x 30 x 40 cm (4 x 11 x 15 in.)
Predator, 2005, Stainless steel kitchen supplies, stainless steel kitchen trolley, hardware 70 x 70 x 170 cm (27 x 27 x 67 in.)
Tea Cocks, 2005, Thermal teapots, peacock feathers, 20 x 60 x 80 cm (7 x 23 x 31 in.)
Ninja Turtles, 2005, Ceramic balls, plastic spoons, 20 x 40 x 60 cm (7 6 x 15 6 x 23 5in.)
Gothy Girly, 2005, Black tableware, pedestal,hardware, 40 x 40 x 180 cm (15 6 x 15 6 x 70 6 in.)
We Only Play Around, 2005, Mini guitars, mini banjos, drums, flutes, bells, harmonicas, African rattles, bamboo steamers, 40 x 120 x 120 cm (15 x 47 x 47 in.)
Pipe Worm, 2005, Wood pipe, 10 x 10 x 70 cm (4 x 4 x 27 5 in.)
The Sun Is Always On, 2005, Chinese paper lanterns, wood stick, pedestal, hardware 150 x 150 x 300 cm (59 x 59 x 118 in.)
Louise the Spider, 2005, Chinese paper lanterns, red wood rings , hardware, 100 x 400 x 500 cm (39 x157 x196 in.)
Animals in a Temple, 2005, ceramics, 30 x 80 x 100 cm (11 x 31 x 39 in.)
German Woman from The Woods, 2005, Wood, 48 x 19 x 7 in.
The Bird, 2005, Bamboo stand, wood boxes, feather fans, 30 x 130 x 150 cm (11 x 51 x 59 in.)
Turtle, 2005, Ceramic tableware, chopstick rest, 20 x 30 x 40 cm (7 x 11 x 15 in.)
Pamela Anderson, 2005, Wok lids, wood knobs, 30 x 30 x 80 cm (11 6 x 11 6 x 31 5 in.)
The Princess Warrior and Her Dog, 2005, Wood baskets, wood swords, wood fringe door curtain, hardware 80 x 200 x 250 cm (31 5 x 78 6 x 98 5 in.)
Ping-Ping, 2005, Ping pong paddles, ping pong balls, chairs, hardware, 30 x 80 x 100 cm (11 x 31 x 39 in.)
2005, Air de Paris, Drawing Show
Angry Face, 2009 Plastic sphere, fake eyes, jumping chattering teeth, fake cherries, strobe light, cable, hardware 30 x 70 x 170 cm ( 11 6 x 27 5 x 67 in.)

© STUDIO OLAF BREUNING 2024