Interview Maxim Bureau, artistic director of the exhibition « BODILESS »: Art is my great passion – Culture

That is why Maxim Bureau wanted to present this unusual exhibition of five Chinese, modern artists right here. The setting after Brussels travels to Barcelona and Madrid.

Tell us more about your journey?

– During the economy studies in France, with direction of Franco-Chinese relations, I went 2005. in China, within the program organized by my Faculty. It was intended to stay in Beijing for three years. At the moment I graduated were in full swing Olympics, China opened towards the world and people started to be interested in this country. I got a job shortly in the Ulens Foundation for contemporary art and so I entered the world I didn’t know at all.

It was a unique opportunity for me to meet this country from another angle. I was especially interesting that the Foundation is in the 798 neighborhood, a little outside Beijing, where the studio, galleries are and where all types of artists are collected. I made a lot of familiarities with exceptional people there. With my modest possibilities I used to buy a few pictures very quickly and I started my own collection. Art becomes my big passion and that’s why I stayed in China for fourteen years.

How long have you been working for Ulens Foundation?

– I worked there for five years and gained a very useful experience in the field of collecting and contemporary art in general. After that, I opened an interesting place in Beijing, which became a kind of HUB for artists. I started the same way I was doing wine promotion, because my family originating from Bordeaux.

They own vineyards there, as in South Africa. I continued this job throughout my stay in China, I traveled everywhere and introduced the country from all possible corners. I even learned to speak and write, as much as possible when it comes to Chinese.

Is there a good wine in China?

– Yes, in the south of Mongolia, near the desert Gobi. The state decided to plant thousands of hectares of vines and that, with the help of experts from the countries of wine producers, that area becomes Chinese Bordeaux. Their wine is slowly starting to get on quality, because as you know, if the Chinese solve something to do something, then they do it until the end.

Where does that fascination for Asia come from?

– That question, many set me up. The families of my parents had trade connections in the Philippines and in Indochina. I don’t know if it comes from there, but I still asked them to take me to Chinese district in Paris, I adored their food and ate chopsticks. Later, I traveled a lot about Asia, I met Korea, Japan, Vietnam …, but I am especially related to the northern part of this continent.

Why did you decide to return to Europe?

« After all those years spent in Asia, I felt Nostalgia to France and thus solved to return to Paris. Then I came to Brussels to visit a friend and I immediately fall in love with this city and his atmosphere in every way. Then I rented an apartment and decided to live half a year in Paris, and half a year in Brussels.

Then he came to Kovid, I met my present wife and remained here. I realized that people in this country invest a lot in artwork and dealing with collectibles. Of course my love for China does not eat and that’s why I go there four times a year.

Since I returned to Europe, I have been promoting Chinese culture and tradition. I want also to show people through one another prism and try to bring one culture closer enough, because it takes a whole little part.

Tell us something about the exhibition Bodiless In the center of MeroD in Brussels and how did you choose the artist?

– Merod is not just an exhibition space, but also a platform that gathers people from the world of art, which meet here every day. It is also co-working space. That concept really liked me because I thought that the exhibition would see the maximum number of people. When organizers in Merod have accepted my offer, I was very happy, because the space is really the way I wanted.

Beijing Gallery With which I constantly cooperate, I suggested five contemporary artists, who are currently very current: Zhong Sheng, Yao Bangliang, Sun Wenjia, Ou Tingzhu and Liu Lion. The Chinese love them not only because of the originality of their works, but also because they use one of the most increden techniques in their country.

What kind of technique is it?

– All works connect the process of making molds that are lacquered – Tuo-tai. It exists since the Tang (600-900) dynasty and used specifically to make religious temples such as budget statues. They are very solid and water resistant, which allows you to perform large formats. It is interesting how these five artists managed to create a completely different effect using this technique.

Lacked surfaces are matt, which is amazing, because when it comes to easy, we imagine a great and somewhat rock object! I like the same by being used completely environmentally friendly. Everything is natural, from the podka, mold, light, which is obtained from the resin of wood until the colors, which are actually natural pigments. These works are extremely simple, geometric, clean forms, but indescribable strength and incredible energy from them.

What’s on your plan for you?

– In September, I’m getting ready for Paris Design Week. I’ve already participated there last year. You probably already assume that I organized a Chinese pavilion. This year, the emphasis will be placed on decorative items, so I chose Chinese designers who are extremely modern, but are mainly inspired by traditional Chinese art, which is again in line with the exhibition Bodiless.