Cynical realism is a contemporary movement in Chinese art, especially in the form of painting, that began in the 1990s. Cynical realism is the first independent current in Chinese contemporary art, It has become one of the most popular Chinese contemporary art movements in mainland China.
Cynical realism arose as a result of the desire of Chinese artists for individual expression, as opposed to the collective thinking that has existed since the cultural revolution. The main topics, as a rule, are focused on socio-political issues and events, starting from the Chinese Revolution (1911) to the present day. The subjects of the work include, as a rule, a humorous and postyronistic view of the realistic perspective and interpretation of the path that Chinese society has gone from the advent of communism to today’s industrialization and modernization of the country.
Cynical realism is a style of art sought to evoke the psychological implications of China’s rapid development, urbanization, and opening to the West. Although lacking a unifying aesthetic, Cynical Realist works share an ironic, humorous, and satirical tone.
Origin
The beginning of the 1990s was a time of rapid development for China, which is largely determined by the democratization of society and the liberalization of the economy. The new era put an end to the previously strictly regulated socialist system, which denied personality in favor of collective thinking. At the same time, the political reaction to the reforms, which provided relative freedom to Chinese society, and also contributed to the relatively free development of contemporary Chinese art.
However, the path to becoming was not easy. In 1989, an attempt was made to hold the first exhibition of avant-garde art in China, based on the Beijing National Gallery. Liberal manifestations in art did not receive the approval of the authorities, and the exhibition was dispersed. Which in turn made banned Chinese artists popular and in demand among collectors outside of China.
Soon, works in the style of cynical realism gained worldwide fame and the Chinese authorities decided to change their point of view, and despite the ideologically critical content of the works, expressed support for the art market in view of the prospects of creating a hard currency and increasing international prestige. The role of the state in market control is high, so over time, cynical realism has transformed from rebellious art into an original national product and has become a special part of the socialist system that popularizes Chinese culture in the international contemporary art market.
Characteristics and Style
Although lacking a unifying aesthetic, Cynical Realist works share the same tone of satire and humor, depicting the psychological fallout felt by the population and the artists themselves. Their views are without a doubt critical, however they also employ the ironic feel and even self-criticism to soften the impact. Apart from Social Realist elements they borrowed for the sole purpose of mocking them in return, the artists also leaned on the notions of Symbolism and even Surrealism, perhaps best reflected through clown-like figures and makeup. As it progressed, the movement lost its initial anti-utopian meaning and got its true, cold and realistic approach, though the concept of a “powerless individual” remained throughout, recurring in many paintings. It is the imagery of clear water and blue sky, which the Chinese socialist realists endorsed to display calmness and peace, as well as the figures portrayed as helpless, masked, confused or screaming in silent laughter that stood in juxtaposition with themselves, forming the perfect balance.
Forms
In contrast to socialist realism, which praised political events and milestones in the history of the Chinese state, cynical realism depicts a cold, realistic attitude to what is happening in the country, focusing on the psychological conflict that occurred in the minds after the country’s transition from a communist development path to a more liberal one. The main method of artists was not the display of absurd phenomena, but the deliberate distortion of individual elements of reality to express the general absurdity of life.
Cynical realism adopted the basic methods of Chinese socialist realism, as an example, blue sky and clear water were some of the main methods of Chinese socialist realism for expressing peace and tranquility, in works of cynical realism, these same tones become the background for depicting the opposite.
Founders
Three Chinese artists Yue Mingjun (born in 1966), Yang Shaobin (1961) and Wang Jinsong (1963) all came from the famous Beijing artists’ settlement in Yuanmingyuan Park stood at the origins of creating a cynical realism trend. The style of the canvases that they formed was not recognized by the state, they were accused of Westernism and did not have the opportunity to exhibit and sell their canvases at home.
Prominent representatives
The most famous representative of the movement is Yue Mingjun, in all his works the characters have a laughing face, as a symbol of violence and vulnerability. Among his works, one can distinguish: “The Sun”, “Shootout”, “Do Not Move!”, “Zoo”, “Tango”, “[Endless] Sea of Consciousness”, “Sky, Animal, Man”, “Mountain of Garbage”, “ Golden Fruits ”, series“ Communication ”,“ Portrait ”,“ Landfill ”, tetraptych“ Memory ”.
Fan Lijun is known for a large number of works from the series “Bald Heads”; the theme of hyperbolization of depersonalization is a red thread in his work. He doesn’t name his works, he simply numbers them or sets dates instead of names.
A New Form of Pop Art
Because it was so ironic and tongue-in-cheek, Cynical Realism also embraced the Western aesthetics and ideas. Many thought it wasn’t only because the Pop art style appealed to them, but also because this would likely stir controversy.