Rebirth in the Air | World Debut Kirigami Exhibition of Extinct Animals
I leave no trace of wings in the air, but I am glad I have had my flight.
--Rabindranath Tagore
As urbanization continues over time, climate change, habitat loss and commercial hunting has made numerous bird species thriving in human history disappear. Many existing ones are struggling on the brink of extinction, and many species have been lost forever before leaving a trace of wings in the air.
We don't want to let the sky become lonely.
If the danger is due to lack of attention, we hope they can be seen by more people.
Mr.Anan, a master of paper art, and app (China), a giant of paper making, joined hands to make a voice for extinct animals. The inheritance and innovation of paper culture is related to the current situation of human survival. It was carried out in Magnolia square, a landmark on the North Bund of Shanghai, and the paper ecology show was carried out to show the world.
Title :
World Debut Kirigami Exhitibition of Extinct Animals by Mr.Anan
Host：
Sponsors: Sinar Mas Group, NanPaper Art
Data :
2021.9.18 (Sat) - 9.30 (Thu) 10:00 - 18:00
Open only on legal working days
Address :
Floor L / 36th, White Magnolia Plaza office building, No. 501, dongdaming Road, Hongkou District, Shanghai
"Singing Again In the Clouds," an exhibition by artist Anan in partnership with APP Sinar Mas Group, features over 20 extinct and endangered species of birds that have disappeared worldwide in the past centuries. As a master of paper arts, Anan presents these beauties and regrets of nature in the form of paper, in an attempt to raise awareness about the world’s increased fragility. It is as fragile as a piece of paper. He hopes to promote the idea of "harmonious coexistence between man and nature" through art.
The exhibits are made of recycled paper innovatively developed by APP China, the first paper-manufacturing company to introduce “Plantation-Pulp-Paper Integration” to China. With the vision of continuously being the world’s premier fully-integrated green-cycle forestry, pulp and paper, green-cycle conglomerate, APP China is following the principle of Sustainable Development, advancing the recycling-economy and creating a more ecological industry.While planting pulpwood, making paper, inheriting traditional paper culture, the company hopes to work with world-class artists to use paper art to raise global awareness of environmental protection and sustainable development.
A small piece of paper may inspire people to engage in the huge task of environmental protection.
APP’s vision to make paper for the future perfectly matches Anan’s dedication to promote Chinese paper art. This inspires them to host an exhibition to voice for the extinct and endangered animals, and to highlight human’s responsibility to protect the Earth. Poetically exploring topics ranging from art to environmental sustainability, renewable resources and future ecology, the exhibition encourages people to discuss the coexistence between humans and nature, evaluate the current situation, and search for a breakthrough.
Anan (artist name of Zhang Dezhi) is a Chinese paper artist with great expertise in paper installations, paper sculptures, paper costumes, paper architecture, etc. His over 10,000 original works represents the best paper arts in China. The artist has been invited to show works in France, Dubai, Russia, Japan, Cambodia and other countries. While working with many internationally renowned art institutions, he is actively promoting Chinese paper art around the world.
Anan pays constant attention to the living conditions of endangered species and human beings. He explores the relationship between human and nature by recording the beauty and reality in nature in hope that the beautiful art works can touch people’s heart so as to bring their attention to ecology. He advocates the use of "eco-friendly recycled paper" and "natural plant dyes" and other sustainable materials, sending out the message to the public that "Everyone can contribute to environmental protection."
At present, Anan’s artistic interest is to integrate the ideas of "environmental protection" and "promoting traditional culture" to build sustainable aesthetics with Chinese characteristics, and to create more thoughtful paper art works for enjoyment and reflection. He believes that art has the power to positively change individuals as well as the society.
Some people may wonder why the huge bird's nest and the forest of four seasons are always white, and only the birds in the white jungle are colorful?
Actually, this artwork is about "disappearance." As human society develops rapidly, many biological species have been negatively impacted and gradually disappeared. The artist uses white paper sculpture installations to show "disappearing" and "commemorating".
While looking at the forest of four seasons and bird's nest, we might be able to imagine how these birds would live in the heaven.
By bringing back 20 colorful birds in the White Forest, the artist attempts to remind people of these extinct creatures, so as to urge the whole world to take good care of the Earth and protect its ecological environment. Let more birds of various species continue to fly freely and sing loudly in the green forest and in the white clouds.
There is a lonely giraffe in the exhibition.
This paper sculpture of a Kenyan white giraffe is Anan's first artwork about the extinct animals.
White giraffe is one of the rarest giraffe species on earth. According to biological experts, it is caused by a rare "albino gene". It was first discovered in Kenya in early June 2017. Local residents regarded the White Giraffe as the patron saint of nature. Later, a third white giraffe was found there. In March 2020, the remains of two mother and son white giraffes were found. According to the local nature conservation association, they were killed by poachers. So, there is only the last white giraffe in the world. It's really a little lonely.
Later, Anan dedicates many artworks to the white giraffe to express his concern for nature and to promote environmental protection. Anan has showed this paper sculpture on many occasions to tell the sad story about the white giraffe.
Ultimately, the purpose of environmental protection is not to save the Earth itself, but to save those who live on the Earth, including you and me.
Sponsors: Sinar Mas Group, NanPaper Art
Curatorial Team: EUCA CULTURE & COMMUNICATIONS
Organizer: Yi-China Ad. Co., Ltd.
Provider: Asia Pulp & Paper
