UCCA Beijing Open Today, 10:00-19:00 (Final entry: 18:30)
UCCA Dune Open Today, 9:30-18:00 (Final entry: 17:30)
UCCA Edge Open Today, 10:00-19:00 (Final entry: 18:30)
UCCA Clay Closed Today,
Works Introduction
The Yun Yun project showcases Birdhead’s musings on the modern digital landscape. The rapid growth of social media provides new streams of communication and allows for anyone in today’s society to become an influencer. In Classical Chinese, "yun" means "to say", extended to mean "express" or “interpret”. In the current digital age, it refers to cloud data systems. The project’s title, Yun Yun, reflects this dual meaning. Birdhead believes that communication has always been at the center of human civilization, from philosophical discussions in the West to dialogues between Confucian teachers and students in the East. Changes in social interaction caused by technological development, along with both innovations and challenges in obtaining information, shifted the concept of "everyone is an actor" to "everyone is a social media influencer". This change has had a gradual yet profound impact on communication methods.
Birdhead selected 19 individuals or groups of online influencers well-known in their respective fields of interest to participate in this project. They first used a modified film camera to capture portraits of the participants, which were then integrated with photographs of clouds. This combination serves as the initial point of communication between the artist duo and the participants. The selected images were then shared with the participants, who were invited to mark and graffiti their photos in any way they desired. For Birdhead, this collaborative process represented an open-ended dialogue exploring the nature of communication and demonstrated its value within a rapidly changing environment. Birdhead used this interactive project to express their thoughts on the modern world of social media. Eventually, the initial concept developed into an exhibition tailored to UCCA Dune’s unique architectural structure.
The audioguide of “Birdhead: Yun Yun” is based on UCCA's interview with the artists and narrated by guest voice actor Zhou Quan. Eleven audios are each narrated in a different voice to represent different personalities. This array of voices resonates with the exhibition's theme — exploring the collision between the real and the virtual, as well as the multitude of individual identities in contemporary times.
Birdhead selected 19 individuals or groups of online influencers well-known in their respective fields of interest to participate in this project. They first used a modified film camera to capture portraits of the participants, which were then integrated with photographs of clouds. This combination serves as the initial point of communication between the artist duo and the participants. The selected images were then shared with the participants, who were invited to mark and graffiti their photos in any way they desired. For Birdhead, this collaborative process represented an open-ended dialogue exploring the nature of communication and demonstrated its value within a rapidly changing environment. Birdhead used this interactive project to express their thoughts on the modern world of social media. Eventually, the initial concept developed into an exhibition tailored to UCCA Dune’s unique architectural structure.
The audioguide of “Birdhead: Yun Yun” is based on UCCA's interview with the artists and narrated by guest voice actor Zhou Quan. Eleven audios are each narrated in a different voice to represent different personalities. This array of voices resonates with the exhibition's theme — exploring the collision between the real and the virtual, as well as the multitude of individual identities in contemporary times.
Inspired by Plato's allegory of the cave, Birdhead used the spatial structure of Room 1 to create a dark cave. When visitors enter, they feel as if they are falling into a deep hole away from the outside world. In the darkness, the viewers are confronted with videos of tigers hunting their prey. These videos symbolize the most fundamental human instinct for survival. The ground’s reflections and silhouettes become symbols of illusion, while the soft ground creates a sense of comfort for the viewer. Through this work, the artists reflect on the lure of the constant supply of new information offered by big data – people unconsciously, as if in a comfortable cave, fall into the pursuit of instant gratification, struggling to discern between reality and fiction.
Featured in Room 2 is the mixed-media installation which displays the phrase "WE WILL SHOOT YOU" at a specific angle. This phrase is Birdhead’s photography slogan, which was inspired by the British band Queen’s song, “We Will Rock You” (1977). "Shoot" can either refer to taking photographs or shooting something or someone, depending on the context. Birdhead used an installation of balloon-shaped objects to visualize this pun. The blurred and almost illusionary outlines suggests that the sentence will disperse into a disorganized pile at any moment. Through this visual, the artists convey the message that sincere communication is something valuable that requires effort to maintain. In contrast, the painting of the shadow of the “balloons” spelling out "WE WILL SHOOT YOU" is like a pure illusion.
In Room 2+, Birdhead created a fictional young artist: Zhao Xingzhi. By "inviting" Zhao Xingzhi as a participating artist, Birdhead integrated this fictional artist’s solo exhibition into the Yun Yun project to explore the issue of identity, including the limitations and possibilities of their own identity as artist in everyday life. This is Birdhead’s first time creating a work within a fictional setting, making it a totally new artistic venture for them.
This room has a built-in Wi-Fi network named "BIRDHEAD". If you connect with your electronic device, you will be transported to the world of Birdhead.
This room has a built-in Wi-Fi network named "BIRDHEAD". If you connect with your electronic device, you will be transported to the world of Birdhead.
The central structure of this work in Room 3 is made of acrylic and metal; together with the vibration of internal lights, it forms a life-like object with inner consciousness, emitting brilliant and colorful light in the space. The external screen displays a documentary video of the Yun Yun project’s portrait shooting process. The video is like a memory of this life form, showcasing the creative potential sparked by sincere communication between individuals.
The ongoing Yun Yun project originated in 2020 from a conversation with a friend, Xiong Xiaomo, and Birdhead’s source of inspiration continues to expand. In the end, 19 groups and individuals were invited to participate in this project. The openness of communication between all participants became the foundation of the project. The participants' enthusiasm for their respective fields deeply touched Birdhead during the creative process.
Nowadays, social media allows individuals to make their voices heard in a way never previously imaginable. There are now Internet celebrities in almost every field, who continue to impact our offline lives.
During the creation of this project, Birdhead used a modified 135mm camera to shoot photos and only exposed half of the film at a time. Through two shots, the clouds in the sky and the portraits of the participants are combined together. The accidental factors affect the entire picture, creating unexpected images. After the photos are developed using traditional methods, they are sent back to the participants, who are invited to doodle on the photos to extend the process of collaborative creation. This room showcases the origins of the Yun Yun project, a collaborative effort between the participants and Birdhead, which served as the foundation for all other works within this exhibition.
Nowadays, social media allows individuals to make their voices heard in a way never previously imaginable. There are now Internet celebrities in almost every field, who continue to impact our offline lives.
During the creation of this project, Birdhead used a modified 135mm camera to shoot photos and only exposed half of the film at a time. Through two shots, the clouds in the sky and the portraits of the participants are combined together. The accidental factors affect the entire picture, creating unexpected images. After the photos are developed using traditional methods, they are sent back to the participants, who are invited to doodle on the photos to extend the process of collaborative creation. This room showcases the origins of the Yun Yun project, a collaborative effort between the participants and Birdhead, which served as the foundation for all other works within this exhibition.
The green screen in Room 5 points to background scenes of artificial simulation and role-playing. In the past, only actors accessed a multitude of identities through playing various characters. However, in line with Shakespeare's famous quote, "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players", everyone is dealing with different situations and playing different roles in real life. The emergence of media streaming has furthered the possibility of interdependence between virtual and real-life identities.
In this work, Birdhead closely integrated the real-life environment with the green screen representing virtual life. Through this combination, they aim to show the intricate boundary between the real and virtual in modern society, unveiling the living conditions of diverse individuals.
In this work, Birdhead closely integrated the real-life environment with the green screen representing virtual life. Through this combination, they aim to show the intricate boundary between the real and virtual in modern society, unveiling the living conditions of diverse individuals.
The installation created around the architectural structure in Room 6 forms an abstract "face" of a silver alien lifeform. In the “eyes” of this alien, we can also see two "faces" with different emotions and expressions. The image of this alien not only represents a sense of mystery and anonymity, but also points to the unknown power that anonymous comments on the Internet can hold. This powerful potential has a direct impact on every aspect of our lives. By integrating drastically different styles of classical music in the two areas of this artwork, Birdhead created two emotional atmospheres opposite from each other. Through this work, the artists challenge viewers to think about the range of emotions and behaviors of people participating in today’s anonymous online world.
The mirror Room 7 prompts viewers to reflect upon their self-image. Before looking at themselves in the mirror, do people already have expectations for what their reflections will look like? Will people always only see what they expect to see?
In an environment with no blind spots and infinite reflections, can we get a glimpse of a self that feels unfamiliar? The warped mirror distorts familiar images, symbolizing that individuals have different identities within different environments. This deformation reminds us that the true self may change in different situations, showing the intricacies involved in an individual’s multiple identities. The forced distortion also challenges viewers to confront the truth behind the mirror.
In an environment with no blind spots and infinite reflections, can we get a glimpse of a self that feels unfamiliar? The warped mirror distorts familiar images, symbolizing that individuals have different identities within different environments. This deformation reminds us that the true self may change in different situations, showing the intricacies involved in an individual’s multiple identities. The forced distortion also challenges viewers to confront the truth behind the mirror.
The bullet screen work shown in Room 8 explores the unique phenomenon in online video culture. Based on the architectural characteristics of UCCA Dune, Birdhead used the floor-to-ceiling windows in the space as screens, and combined the cartoon lines and the scenic window views to create an offline bullet screen. Through this work, the artist duo prompts viewers to examine the relationship between language and behavior, as well as the potential impact of the current bullet screen Internet culture on its participants.
In the eyes of Birdhead, the architecture of UCCA Dune evokes imagery of a cell tower transmitting and receiving information through the sky. Inspired by this, they installed mirrors on the balcony to reflect the sky onto the floor, as a direct metaphor for downloading information from the digital cloud to the ground. Audiences can take selfies in this outdoor space with the reflection of the sky to echo the photographs in Room 4, and upload their photos to the digital cloud. This interactive experience mirrors the connection between the architectural structure and the exchange of information via digital clouds. Within this space, visitors not only appreciate the artwork but also immerse themselves in the "clouds".
Introduction
The Yun Yun project showcases Birdhead’s musings on the modern digital landscape. The rapid growth of social media provides new streams of communication and allows for anyone in today’s society to become an influencer. In Classical Chinese, "yun" means "to say", extended to mean "express" or “interpret”. In the current digital age, it refers to cloud data systems. The project’s title, Yun Yun, reflects this dual meaning. Birdhead believes that communication has always been at the center of human civilization, from philosophical discussions in the West to dialogues between Confucian teachers and students in the East. Changes in social interaction caused by technological development, along with both innovations and challenges in obtaining information, shifted the concept of "everyone is an actor" to "everyone is a social media influencer". This change has had a gradual yet profound impact on communication methods.
Birdhead selected 19 individuals or groups of online influencers well-known in their respective fields of interest to participate in this project. They first used a modified film camera to capture portraits of the participants, which were then integrated with photographs of clouds. This combination serves as the initial point of communication between the artist duo and the participants. The selected images were then shared with the participants, who were invited to mark and graffiti their photos in any way they desired. For Birdhead, this collaborative process represented an open-ended dialogue exploring the nature of communication and demonstrated its value within a rapidly changing environment. Birdhead used this interactive project to express their thoughts on the modern world of social media. Eventually, the initial concept developed into an exhibition tailored to UCCA Dune’s unique architectural structure.
The audioguide of “Birdhead: Yun Yun” is based on UCCA's interview with the artists and narrated by guest voice actor Zhou Quan. Eleven audios are each narrated in a different voice to represent different personalities. This array of voices resonates with the exhibition's theme — exploring the collision between the real and the virtual, as well as the multitude of individual identities in contemporary times.
Birdhead selected 19 individuals or groups of online influencers well-known in their respective fields of interest to participate in this project. They first used a modified film camera to capture portraits of the participants, which were then integrated with photographs of clouds. This combination serves as the initial point of communication between the artist duo and the participants. The selected images were then shared with the participants, who were invited to mark and graffiti their photos in any way they desired. For Birdhead, this collaborative process represented an open-ended dialogue exploring the nature of communication and demonstrated its value within a rapidly changing environment. Birdhead used this interactive project to express their thoughts on the modern world of social media. Eventually, the initial concept developed into an exhibition tailored to UCCA Dune’s unique architectural structure.
The audioguide of “Birdhead: Yun Yun” is based on UCCA's interview with the artists and narrated by guest voice actor Zhou Quan. Eleven audios are each narrated in a different voice to represent different personalities. This array of voices resonates with the exhibition's theme — exploring the collision between the real and the virtual, as well as the multitude of individual identities in contemporary times.
Room 1
Inspired by Plato's allegory of the cave, Birdhead used the spatial structure of Room 1 to create a dark cave. When visitors enter, they feel as if they are falling into a deep hole away from the outside world. In the darkness, the viewers are confronted with videos of tigers hunting their prey. These videos symbolize the most fundamental human instinct for survival. The ground’s reflections and silhouettes become symbols of illusion, while the soft ground creates a sense of comfort for the viewer. Through this work, the artists reflect on the lure of the constant supply of new information offered by big data – people unconsciously, as if in a comfortable cave, fall into the pursuit of instant gratification, struggling to discern between reality and fiction.
Room 2
Featured in Room 2 is the mixed-media installation which displays the phrase "WE WILL SHOOT YOU" at a specific angle. This phrase is Birdhead’s photography slogan, which was inspired by the British band Queen’s song, “We Will Rock You” (1977). "Shoot" can either refer to taking photographs or shooting something or someone, depending on the context. Birdhead used an installation of balloon-shaped objects to visualize this pun. The blurred and almost illusionary outlines suggests that the sentence will disperse into a disorganized pile at any moment. Through this visual, the artists convey the message that sincere communication is something valuable that requires effort to maintain. In contrast, the painting of the shadow of the “balloons” spelling out "WE WILL SHOOT YOU" is like a pure illusion.
Room 2+
In Room 2+, Birdhead created a fictional young artist: Zhao Xingzhi. By "inviting" Zhao Xingzhi as a participating artist, Birdhead integrated this fictional artist’s solo exhibition into the Yun Yun project to explore the issue of identity, including the limitations and possibilities of their own identity as artist in everyday life. This is Birdhead’s first time creating a work within a fictional setting, making it a totally new artistic venture for them.
This room has a built-in Wi-Fi network named "BIRDHEAD". If you connect with your electronic device, you will be transported to the world of Birdhead.
This room has a built-in Wi-Fi network named "BIRDHEAD". If you connect with your electronic device, you will be transported to the world of Birdhead.
Room 3
The central structure of this work in Room 3 is made of acrylic and metal; together with the vibration of internal lights, it forms a life-like object with inner consciousness, emitting brilliant and colorful light in the space. The external screen displays a documentary video of the Yun Yun project’s portrait shooting process. The video is like a memory of this life form, showcasing the creative potential sparked by sincere communication between individuals.
Room 4
The ongoing Yun Yun project originated in 2020 from a conversation with a friend, Xiong Xiaomo, and Birdhead’s source of inspiration continues to expand. In the end, 19 groups and individuals were invited to participate in this project. The openness of communication between all participants became the foundation of the project. The participants' enthusiasm for their respective fields deeply touched Birdhead during the creative process.
Nowadays, social media allows individuals to make their voices heard in a way never previously imaginable. There are now Internet celebrities in almost every field, who continue to impact our offline lives.
During the creation of this project, Birdhead used a modified 135mm camera to shoot photos and only exposed half of the film at a time. Through two shots, the clouds in the sky and the portraits of the participants are combined together. The accidental factors affect the entire picture, creating unexpected images. After the photos are developed using traditional methods, they are sent back to the participants, who are invited to doodle on the photos to extend the process of collaborative creation. This room showcases the origins of the Yun Yun project, a collaborative effort between the participants and Birdhead, which served as the foundation for all other works within this exhibition.
Nowadays, social media allows individuals to make their voices heard in a way never previously imaginable. There are now Internet celebrities in almost every field, who continue to impact our offline lives.
During the creation of this project, Birdhead used a modified 135mm camera to shoot photos and only exposed half of the film at a time. Through two shots, the clouds in the sky and the portraits of the participants are combined together. The accidental factors affect the entire picture, creating unexpected images. After the photos are developed using traditional methods, they are sent back to the participants, who are invited to doodle on the photos to extend the process of collaborative creation. This room showcases the origins of the Yun Yun project, a collaborative effort between the participants and Birdhead, which served as the foundation for all other works within this exhibition.
Room 5
The green screen in Room 5 points to background scenes of artificial simulation and role-playing. In the past, only actors accessed a multitude of identities through playing various characters. However, in line with Shakespeare's famous quote, "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players", everyone is dealing with different situations and playing different roles in real life. The emergence of media streaming has furthered the possibility of interdependence between virtual and real-life identities.
In this work, Birdhead closely integrated the real-life environment with the green screen representing virtual life. Through this combination, they aim to show the intricate boundary between the real and virtual in modern society, unveiling the living conditions of diverse individuals.
In this work, Birdhead closely integrated the real-life environment with the green screen representing virtual life. Through this combination, they aim to show the intricate boundary between the real and virtual in modern society, unveiling the living conditions of diverse individuals.
Room 6
The installation created around the architectural structure in Room 6 forms an abstract "face" of a silver alien lifeform. In the “eyes” of this alien, we can also see two "faces" with different emotions and expressions. The image of this alien not only represents a sense of mystery and anonymity, but also points to the unknown power that anonymous comments on the Internet can hold. This powerful potential has a direct impact on every aspect of our lives. By integrating drastically different styles of classical music in the two areas of this artwork, Birdhead created two emotional atmospheres opposite from each other. Through this work, the artists challenge viewers to think about the range of emotions and behaviors of people participating in today’s anonymous online world.
Room 7
The mirror Room 7 prompts viewers to reflect upon their self-image. Before looking at themselves in the mirror, do people already have expectations for what their reflections will look like? Will people always only see what they expect to see?
In an environment with no blind spots and infinite reflections, can we get a glimpse of a self that feels unfamiliar? The warped mirror distorts familiar images, symbolizing that individuals have different identities within different environments. This deformation reminds us that the true self may change in different situations, showing the intricacies involved in an individual’s multiple identities. The forced distortion also challenges viewers to confront the truth behind the mirror.
In an environment with no blind spots and infinite reflections, can we get a glimpse of a self that feels unfamiliar? The warped mirror distorts familiar images, symbolizing that individuals have different identities within different environments. This deformation reminds us that the true self may change in different situations, showing the intricacies involved in an individual’s multiple identities. The forced distortion also challenges viewers to confront the truth behind the mirror.
Room 8
The bullet screen work shown in Room 8 explores the unique phenomenon in online video culture. Based on the architectural characteristics of UCCA Dune, Birdhead used the floor-to-ceiling windows in the space as screens, and combined the cartoon lines and the scenic window views to create an offline bullet screen. Through this work, the artist duo prompts viewers to examine the relationship between language and behavior, as well as the potential impact of the current bullet screen Internet culture on its participants.
Terrace
In the eyes of Birdhead, the architecture of UCCA Dune evokes imagery of a cell tower transmitting and receiving information through the sky. Inspired by this, they installed mirrors on the balcony to reflect the sky onto the floor, as a direct metaphor for downloading information from the digital cloud to the ground. Audiences can take selfies in this outdoor space with the reflection of the sky to echo the photographs in Room 4, and upload their photos to the digital cloud. This interactive experience mirrors the connection between the architectural structure and the exchange of information via digital clouds. Within this space, visitors not only appreciate the artwork but also immerse themselves in the "clouds".
UCCA Beijing
Open Today, 10:00-19:00 (Final entry: 18:30)
798, No. 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Beijing
Tel: +86 10 5780 0200
Fax: +86 10 5780 0200
UCCA Dune
Open Today, 9:30-18:00 (Final entry: 17:30)
Aranya Gold Coast, Beidaihe
Tel: +86 335 7522 652
UCCA Edge
Open Today, 10:00-19:00 (Final entry: 18:30)
2F, No. 88 Xizang Bei Lu, Jing'an District, Shanghai
Tel: +86 21 6628 6861
UCCA Clay
Closed Today, 10:00-19:00
West Entrance, Creative & Cultural Ceramic Avenue, Dingshu Town, Yixing City, Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province
Tel: +86 0510 8767 9989
