Shen Shaomin, artist from China. Photography © Eli Klein Gallery, S. Shaomin
1.In your opinion what is the role of a museum?
Artwork in the artist’s hand is still alive when unfinished and will become a “dead body” once finished. Museum of art, as one of the inevitable carriers of artwork, resurrects artworks in front of the audience, whose visits and discussions provide the works a second life and more possibilities. Museum offers art space for a second nurture.
2.What are your favorite museums in the world? Why?
Compared to those famous museums with big-names, I prefer niche but experimental ones, for example, the Langen Foundation located in Germany. This museum, designed by Tadao Ando, has an appearance perfectly integrated with the nature. Moreover, it is very inclusive, being not restricted by the form of art.
Inhotim located in Brazil is like a secret garden of art because of 4,500 plant species introduced by the government. Such environment leads to the audience having a mood different from the one of visiting other art museums. It makes the audience absolutely relax without any self-limitation.
