The Eternal Fetal Movement. Composed of opening structure in eucalyptus wood, this installation contains 4557 drawers and visitors may go inside the structure.
Yvon Lambert is pleased to announce the presentation of the monumental work, The Eternal
Fetal Movement, of the Chinese artist, Zhang Huan at Petit Palais during the FIAC.
It is the first time that an installation of this importance is being shown in France: just like a cir-
cular room, it embodies an eternal, solemn and respectful meditation place, around the human
being and mourning. Composed of opening structure in eucalyptus wood of a diameter of 9
meters 5 (354,33 inch) and 3m61 of high (142,1 inch), this installation contains 4557 drawers
and visitors may go inside the structure.
Inspired by the form and function of traditional Chinese medicine cabinets, the work becomes
a maternal body enveloping the visitor and the holder of warm feelings, care and security. The
prevalent themes, at the same time, universal and contextual which underline the entire work
of Zhang Huan, are come together in this installation wich poignantly deals with birth, illness,
and death yet also reincarnation.
Zhang Huan, unavoidable key figure of Chinese and International contemporary art, is now
considered as one of the most important artists of his generation. Precursor artist of the per-
formance movement in China, he moves in New York in 1988, where he builds until his return
in China – more precisely in Shanghai – in 2006, a subversive work where the human body is
always push to its limits.
He pursues, now, his aesthetics researches around the use of paint, photography, sculpture or
even installation, using materials like burned incense ashes in Buddhism temples, animal skin,
bronze and copper or elements strictly coming from traditional handicrafts; like sculpted doors.
This variety of mode of expression allow him to deal with different subjects – landscapes, por-
traits or revisited Buddhism statuary - in order to take a look at actual China and the relation
the country keeps with its cultural and religious heritage.
Image: Zhang Huan, The Eternal Fetal Movement, 2012 - Wood - External diameter: 9m (354,33 inch)
Internal diameter: 7m (275,6 inch) - Height: 3,61m (142,1 inch)
Press inquiries : Valentine Dolla | valentine@yvon-lambert.com
Petit Palais - Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris
Avenue Winston Churchill - 75008 Paris
Wednesday October 23 : 2PM - 10PM
Thursday October 24 : 10AM - 8PM
Friday October 25 to Sunday October 27 : 10AM - 6PM
Free admission