Kaufman-9 Jokes

Short video series, HD1080P

Chen Zhou’s Solo Show, Aike-Dellarco, Shanghai, China

2014


Chen Zhou admires Kaufman because his humor is often hidden within moments of “inaction”, which were as simple as standing nervously on stage or drinking a glass of water. Kaufman’s genius for humor is a valuable legacy, especially in these overly complex, intellectually-focused times.

Chen Zhou took an improvisational approach to shooting nine works in total, calling the series “9 Jokes”. Those featured in the videos include Aike-Dellarco Director Roberto Ceresia, security guards from MadeIn Company’s 2014 UCCA solo exhibition, artist couple Lin Ke and Wang Rui, an audience standing before Hans-Peter Feldmann’s works, and Chen Zhou himself, recorded standing in front of his own works. The videos are an impressionistic representation of Chen’s observations on and ridicule of contemporary art.

Trailer

Exhibition view, Aike Gallery, Shanghai, Photo by Alan Grillo,

Exhibition view, Aike Gallery, Shanghai, photo by Alan Grillo

Exhibition view, Aike Gallery, Shanghai, Photo by Alan Grillo,

Exhibition view, Aike Gallery, Shanghai, photo by Alan Grillo

Two Balls on the Beach

Short video, HD1080P, 3min25sec, 2013

Artist Lin Ke argued with his girlfriend artist Wang Rui because she had worn his long johns.

2014_Chen-Zhou_kaufman-9jokes_two-balls-on-the-beach_still.jpg

Plumber Marcel Duchamp

Short video, HD1080P, 3min4sec, 2014  

A plumber occasionally left a urinal at a contemporary exhibition at UCCA (Ullens Center for Contemporary Art).

2014_Chen-Zhou_kaufman-9jokes_plumber-Marcel-Duchamp_still.jpg

The Pondering of the Yellow Fish

Short video, HD1080P, 3Min48Sec, 2013

The boss of Aike gallery Robi looked at an empty show shelf and thought about what is art.

2014_Chen-Zhou_kaufman-9jokes_the-pondering-of-the-yellow-fish_still.jpg

How I Bought the Yellow Fish

Short video, HD1080P, 1min42sec, 2014 

“Tino Sehgal” went to a food market.

2014_Chen-Zhou_kaufman-9jokes_how-I-bought-the-yellow-fish_still.jpg

Luxury Product

Short video, HD1080P, 2min20sec, 2014 

A maintainer Marcel Duchamp found a special painting brush on the road.

2014_Chen-Zhou_kaufman-9jokes_luxury-product_still.jpg

Shit

Short video, HD1080p, 2Min 17Sec, 2014  

A god saw a pile of shit.

2014_Chen-Zhou_kaufman-9jokes_shit_still.jpg

Political Interference

Short video, HD1080P, 3min4sec, 2014  

A pair of young girls walked along the gate of Ai Weiwei’s house full of security cameras surround, then they saw the angel.

2014_Chen-Zhou_kaufman-9jokes_political-interference_still.jpg

"Made up" Art

Short video, HD1080P, 2min38sec, 2014  

A noblewoman window shop a contemporary exhibition.

2014_Chen-Zhou_kaufman-9jokes_'made-up'-art_still.jpg

Untitled

Short video, HD1080P, 1min23sec, 2014 

Nobody attended the opening of the contemporary art exhibition -Kaufman.

2014_Chen-Zhou_kaufman-9jokes_untitled_still.jpg