Preview: Gao Xiaowu's “Searching for The Strangers" Art Performance in Venice 2024 Starts on April 19

On April 19, 2024, artist Gao Xiaowu will initiate the art performance “Searching for the Strangers" in Venice. The artist arrived in Venice on April 16 to prepare for the event.

In 2004, Gao Xiaowu released a work titled “Standard Age,” featuring “Bowing Man”, which has been pirated on a massive scale worldwide over the past twenty years. The volume and distribution of these counterfeits make it impossible to completely trace the violators. For him, these low-quality imitations are "The Strangers.”

The 60th Venice Art Biennale of this year is themed "Stranieri Ovunque - Foreigners Everywhere." According to the Biennal’s official introduction, the Italian "straniero," Portuguese "estrangeiro," French "étranger," and Spanish "extranjero" all share etymological ties to words meaning strange, which is precisely the meaning of "The Strangers."

“Searching for the Strangers” Art Performance will commence on April 19, starting at Palazzo Bragadin Carabba,Castello 6039, Venezia Vernissage.

 During the Venice Biennale, Gao Xiaowu will debut his new work, “The Strangers”, globally and carry out the "Searching for the Strangers” art performance. He will feature a "Bowing Man" sculpture styled as an "alien" from outer space, conducting both a boat cruise on the Grand Canal and a land parade. In Venice, Gao Xiaowu focuses on the marginalized populations of Earth, such as exiles, refugees, immigrants, indigenous peoples, and queer communities. His art is serving as a silent expression against the widespread counterfeiting of his original works.

 What is Mr. Gao up to?

Going to Venice to look for “The Strangers”?

What is the artist doing?

Mr. Gao has brought two large boxes across the ocean to Venice, with a third box still on its way. Together, they form a riddle.

Let’s wait together for the unveiling on April 19. 

Let us await together; the answer will be unveiled o