Zhang Huan’s work is known to reference the history of his native China, ranging from political to religious in China. He involves himself within his work by challenging his own endurance, physically and mentally. Photography is serves the purpose of capturing the final work of his performances. Zhang Huan’s To Raise the Water Level in a Fishpond, 1997, Zhang Huan gathered a group to stand in a pond in Beijing Park. Through this action he plays off a Chinese saying, “the effect that one person cannot make a difference in a larger environment”. Although by the law of physics the gathering of these people had no actual effect on the water level.
To Raise the Water Level in a Fishpond, 1997
To Raise the Water Level in a Fishpond (Waterchild), 1997
What I found interesting about Zhang Huan, is that during the time of his performances, artistic practice was outlawed in China. Performance art during this time was not supported by art institutions. This being said Zhang Huan, along with other artists; including Ma Liuming and Rong Rong, pushed the human body to its limits during performances. Zhang Huan’s performances were usually stages for a small audience or performed elsewhere.
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