This week is a somewhat unusual. My friends from Germany are visiting and they keep me wonderfully busy. This means 2 things. First, blogging and stitching time is sparse and I miss that. Next week, I’ll resume as normal. Second, I’m paying attention to things usually taken for granted.
My visitor’s curiosity inspires me to look at my surroundings in a fresh new way. Going for walks and visiting places feels exciting. I was thinking of how many times I overlook what’s right before my eyes, and one artist came to mind: Liu Bolin.
Inspired by how some animals can blend into their environment, Liu Bolin uses the principles of camouflage to create his art. His work is an expression of his concern of the state of China and it’s lack of recognition of the individual. He was affected by the actions of the Chinese government when the art village Suojiacun was demolished, for the “modernization effort” and in the process, Liu Bolin’s home was destroyed.
None of the images here are photo-shopped. Instead he takes hours to prepare the paint and careful application to blend himself into the surroundings. Unseen and ignored. Invisible. Overlooked.
See, what I mean?
Or as George Orwell said:
“To see what is in front of one’s nose needs a constant struggle.”
And curiosity.
For more pictures of Liu Bolin: Telegraph UK
