Zhao Zhao

executed in 2014

This work is generally in good condition. Some of the gold-leaved sculptural pieces exhibit some very minor signs of wear. The photographs are also in good condition. Please note that the photographs were not examined under ultraviolet light and out of their frames.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Sotheby’s and Platform China have collaborated in seeing come to life the last stages of Chinese artist Zhao Zhao’s large-scale work, How. From its creation to its collection, both parties have witnessed the evolution of How in its totality, and experienced its connection with traditional culture.

On his work, How, the artist Zhao had to say: “On September 29th, 2013 I travelled for about 400 km from Beijing to Jincheng in Shanxi province, where I came across a Shakyamuni Buddha dating back to some 200 years ago, covered with the patina of time. Sitting on a Lotus flower, the Buddha was bowing his head a little, looking down, and holding his right hand next to his body, while putting his left hand on his left knee. The Buddha was about 2.15 m. tall and 1.81 m. wide: a set of numbers for destiny.

On November 1st, 2013 the Buddha was transported back to Beijing. With the help of seven woodworkers, we designed, sawed and polished in order to cut up the Buddha sculpture into geometric shapes similar to LEGO. I then hired another five workers to reproduce the ancient artisanal method of making gold leaves. We first cut the gold ingots into thin pieces and then placed them inside special beating paper. Hence, we hammered the sheets on a bluestone for about thirty thousand times and finally obtained gold leaves. The thickness of each gold leaf is about 0.0003 mm, and the size of each piece is 9.3 by 9.3 cm. The total area was around 45 sqm. of gold leaf, which we used to cover the ‘LEGO’ pieces. It took another 99 days to finish.

All things are born from God. They come in different shapes, some live and some die, only saints can understand. On April 20th, 2014 the entire process was completed. The aforementioned are just a few of the tasks involved in the production of the work, the others are not worth mentioning.

Subsequently, How has been exhibited at Platform China (Hong Kong) from 8 May through 7 July. It will then be sent to Sotheby's for the October Auction Sales 2014, in Hong Kong. Before this, the last part of the project will be completed with 9 photographs (40 by 60 cm.) related to How. (That refers to the 6 photographs of the production process of How, together with a photo of signed contract with Sotheby's,  a photo to be taken during the auction and a photo of the collecting contract.) 

Zhao Zhao is a young Chinese artist who has garnered much attention in recent years. Born in 1982 in Xinjiang’s Shihezi, Zhao was at one point Ai Weiwei’s studio assistant, and began to branch out individually in 2007. How follows on from Zhao’s early meditations on art, including his previous work Euro Coins (2008), which included material from Anselm Kiefer’s Volkzahlung (Census); as well as Again (2012), a wall made up of dozens of bricks, taken from original stone Buddha statues. Other important works of his include a toppled sculptural figure of a policeman, entitled Officer (2011).