Apples have become a controversial part of the ShContemporary 2007 at the Shanghai Exhibition Center.
Not just a few apples either. Ten tons of apples have been spread over 300 square meters outside the center and they have been attracting hundreds of art enthusiasts, puzzled onlookers and photographers.
Initially crowds were drawn by the color and fruity aroma but then the artist and creator of the installation, Gu Dexin, added another touch - a steamroller dripping black oil and gradually running over and crushing the apples.
Gu, the 45-year-old artist, does not talk to journalists but this is not the first time Gu and his apples have attracted attention.
On the second floor of the current exhibition, there are photographs of a similar apple installation he created last year at the Galleria Continua, Beijing.
According to Lubi Reboani, Gu's colleague at the gallery, he often creates ironic art works with fresh food such as apple, banana or even animal brains.
Some of them are quite shocking and confronting but Gu never gives an explanations - which leaves visitors plenty to think about for themselves.
Some think the work is about the conflict between agriculture and industry while the others say it's an appeal to save resources.
As the apples rot in the sun and flies gather, even more debate starts buzzing.
"It would be much better to eat the apples than letting them rot here - It's a terrible waste," said a middle-aged man. A young girl thinks the apples should be packed and sent to some charities - although it's hard to say how many apples will be worth saving in two days.
Contemporary art not only provokes thought but it also can provoke tolerance.
On Thursday afternoon, more than 1,000 plastic basins floating in the Suzhou River caused an uproar in the neighborhood. Some older souls were about to call the police until they discovered this was another work of art, this time promoting environmental protection.
"The basins symbolize the waste from the factories going into the river," explained Wang Xiaosong, the creator of this installation. "Many of the basins are blue which represent blue algae."
But most of the locals found it incredible that the river could been blocked for three hours for a work of art.
(Shanghai Daily September 10, 2007)
