Top image: “The Origin of the World” (2013) by Miguel Chevalier

Metamorphosis of the Virtual 5 + 5 is a curated exhibition featuring major art pieces by internationally renowned and emerging Chinese and French artist.

“The Fourth Seal – He Is To No Purpose And He Wants to Die For The Second Time” (2010) by Tsang Kin Wah

To open on 5 July in the Shanghai K11 Art Mall, the presentation is conceived as a multi-sensorial experience – simultaneously physical, spiritual and emotional, Metamorphosis of the Virtual 5 + 5 will showcase installations that are both immersive and interactive, with a few of the pieces especially developed for the chi K11 art museum.

“Emotion Winds” (2014) by Maurice Benayoun

Aimed at instigating new cultural dialogues among the artists and the community, the exhibition will encourage the audience to explore and reflect on creativity in five specific areas: Flux, Life Forms, Cityscape, Morphogenetic and Avatar.

(Left) ‘Skinned Liberty” (2013) by Orlan; (Right) “Saint-Francois” (2010) by Pascal Haudressy

Metamorphosis of the Virtual 5 + 5 is part of the official programme of the 50th anniversary of Franco-Sino diplomatic relations, along with the upcoming co-curated exhibition between the K11 Art Foundation (KAF) and Palais de Tokyo in Paris during FIAC in October, and the “Master of Impressionism – Claude Monet” retrospective, still on show in Shanghai.

“Object 1/Object 2” (2014) by Aaajiao

Adrian Cheng, Founder and Chairman of KAF, says, “… we believe [the exhibition] will strike a chord with many of us. Although new technologies and the internet have taken a central place in our daily life and society, digital art remains in a paradoxical way quite confidential. These creators all belong to the same group of pioneers and visionary artists who share the certitude that the digital world offers new ways of making and perceiving art; a philosophy which is in tune with KAF’s vision of art.”

‘Metamorphosis of the Virtual 5 + 5’ is an expression originally created by the French writer and philosopher Christine Buci-Glucksmann in an essay she wrote about Pia MYrvoLD, one of the participating artists of the exhibition. Apart from the evocative and poetic qualities, it suggests that we deal with an artistic substance that is ‘alive’ and in constant change.

Metamorphosis of the Virtual 5 + 5 will be held from 5 July – 31 August 2014 at chi K11 Art Museum, B3, Shanghai K11 Art Mall.