LI Wai Yu (Vivian) talks on Swarm

CopperSwarm 2003-2005

Medium: Papers, PVC boards, Plastic sheets
Theme: Installation, drawing
Purpose of drawing:
This is not a realistic drawing or typical drawing for recording something's appreance.
This drawing is in 3D form and playing with lins and shape in the space.

Lines

There are many different kinds of lines used in this drawing.

Some are zigzag lines, some are continues lines.
Some are lines with irregular directions tending to shape out rectangles,
looks like the route-map of the metro.

I think the artist is trying to make use of these lines to complicate the drawing,

or somehow to make some texture on it.

Tone

Only black and white is used in this drawing.

However, there is grey revealed because of the shadow created by some 3D materials.

These colours seem contribute to sense of unity because they are quite match visually.

Shapes and forms

Many geometric forms are used in this drawing.
They are mainly triangles and rectangles, stick together, with different direction,
forming a scenery of mountain view.
The artist also make some lines with irregular direction, forming some rectangle shapes,
make them look like the outline of some buildings.
It contributed to give sense of mystery and "cyber-looking".

Texture
Texture in this drawing is quite significant.
The artist is trying to make use of different materials to represent different texture of the mountains.
From near to far, mountains' texture seem not to be the same.
So the artist try different materials, different forms and lines, trying to create an alternative way to depict mountain views.

Compostition
I think the compostition of this drawing is quite balanced.
Like, the fragmental triangles make the boundary of the hills very weak,
but they are balanced by the route-map-like lines at aside.
Also, the bus-like big white shapes on the floor, to some extent, blanced the fragmental objects on the wall.
The overall composition is quite creative because it uses all the three surfaces,
trying to create a drawing with no boundaries.

Perspective
Perspective is somehow created by different "layers" of the mountains,
and the spatial relationship between the objects on walls and the floor.
there is no significant lines of perspective,
but i think there are some unoticed lines on the edges of the bus-like shape.
leading to the "vanishing point".

Harmonious? Strong contrast?
Yes, this drawing is quite harmonious because it uses a lot of white colour.
Even though there are some black, they were used in a very subtle way.
So there is no big contrast between the colours.
But, in the words of lines or shapes, there are.
Especially the bus-like shapes are very out-standing in the drawing.

Mood and feelings
I think the artist create kind of relaxing and clam mood in this drawing.
From the usage of colour and lines, we can see a series of gentle expression.
Colours and lines are not used in expressive way, not many colours are used,
and lines are not floating freely in the drawing.
Like everything is in a very much control.

Opinion
i like this creative drawing very much.
i think it is trying to depict the relationship between the buildings and hills and also the silence and prosperity.
Hills and buildings are very common views that we can always see.
I thought hills and buildings would have interesting conversation.
One represent the nature, one represent the modern society.
i think this drawing is thought-provoking, but in a very subtle way.
i like drawing with this feeling. Looks like relaxing, but gently brings out something that u have never thought of.
Also, i like the interesting way of interpretation of this drawing.
3-D drawing impressed me and seemed like there will never be a boundary.
And lastly, the imaginative sense of the artist is very impressive too.