insideKENT Magazine Issue 50 - May 2016 | Page 37

ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT

CASS SCULPTURE FOUNDATION

A BEAUTIFUL DISORDER

May-November 2016

Cass Sculpture Foundation was established in 1992 by Wilfred and Jeannette
Cass. Set within 26 acres of West Sussex countryside, the Foundation was
conceived as a unique not-for-profit organisation. It is composed of exhibition
spaces, an archive, an educational resource and a commissioning body.

© Cass Sculpture Foundation,

© Cass Sculpture Foundation,

Cui Jie, Pigeon House, 2015

Wang Yuyang, Identity (Rendering), 2016

© Cass Sculpture Foundation,

Tu Wei-Cheng, Bu Num Civilisation Wheel, 2015

Barnaby Hindle © Cass Sculpture Foundation,

Tony Cragg, Declination, 2005

Profoundly committed to fostering new, as well
as established talent, the organisation
commissions as many as 15 works every year.
It is consequently home to a constantly evolving
display that has included sculptures by Antony
Caro, Eduardo Paolozzi, Rachel Whiteread,
Tony Cragg, Antony Gormley and Sara Barker
amongst others.

The historical relationship between English and
Chinese landscape aesthetics is the starting point
and inspiration for these contemporary Chinese
and Greater Chinese artists. The title of the
exhibition, A Beautiful Disorder, is a quote from
an influential letter written by the Jesuit missionary
and artist Jean-Denis Attiret in 1743 that had a
tremendous effect on English garden culture.

This spring, Cass Sculpture Foundation is
delighted to present a major exhibition of new
outdoor sculptures created by 16 contemporary
Chinese artists entitled A Beautiful Disorder.

Attiret used the term to describe the ability of the
Chinese garden to provoke violent and often
opposing sensations in the viewer through a
series of theatrical framing devices. The exhibition
invites the viewer to reflect on China’s past,
present and future relationship with the world at
large, and provides valuable insight into the state
of Chinese culture, politics and society today
from the perspective of some of its most dynamic
and engaging artists.

The 16 monumental outdoor sculptures will be
on display throughout the grounds of Cass, and
include pieces by artists who have employed a
variety of ambitious sculptural techniques across
a range of materials such as bronze, stone, steel
and wood.

Cass Sculpture Foundation’s executive director,
Clare Hindle, says: “To date, Cass Sculpture

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Foundation has commissioned over 400 words
– A Beautiful Disorder is a landmark moment for
the Foundation as it is the first time we are
commissioning works for a major exhibition by
international artists. The exhibition will showcase
contemporary Chinese sculpture by some of the
leading Chinese artists.”
Participating artists for A Beautiful Disorder
include: Bi Rongrong, Cheng Ran, Cui Jie,
Jennifer Ma Wen, Li Jinghu, Lu Pingyuan, Xu
Zhen (Produced by Made in Company), Rania
Ho, Song Ta, Tu Wei-Cheng, Wang Sishun, Wang
Wei, Wang Yuyang, Zhang Ruyi, Zheng Bo and
Zhao Yao.

Cass Sculpture Foundation
Goodwood, Chichester
www.sculpture.org.uk