Aug 6 2008
Athletes are not the only ones who are in top form for the year's most important sports event, the summer Olympics in Beijing. The German Embassy in Beijing is also showcasing itself at this mega event with "inForm", the title of an art installation by Chinese artist Li Jiwei. One of his enormous objects is in the form of a giant sports shirt covering the entire embassy building. This is designed to boost hopes for success and to encourage fair competition among athletes, who will be ceremonially welcomed here for the Olympic Games. The second artwork by Li Jiwei symbolizes a stand.
The seats represent excited spectators cheering on athletes to achieve top performances. The basis for the art installation by Li Jiwei is the high-tech plastic Makrolon® from Bayer MaterialScience. This polycarbonate recommended itself because of its lightness and in particular its transparency, which enables impressive visual effects. Li Jiwei incorporated over 1,300 square meters of Makrolon® sheets in his two objects for the art installation in the German Embassy.
Makrolon® is perfect for large-area usage thanks to its minimal weight per unit area. Its extremely good impact and breaking strength also ensures a high level of safety. Yet the material is also ideal for artists, owing to the possibilities it offers for working. It can be molded into the desired form using both the cold bending and thermal processes. This is a key factor for artists looking to turn their inspirations into freeform objects.
The works by Li Jiwei can be admired in the German Embassy in Beijing from August 4, 2008 onwards, when the art installation will be unveiled to the public at the opening of "Art Installation German Embassy Beijing." As well as Bayer MaterialScience, car manufacturer BMW and lighting specialist siteco are also supporting the German Embassy in its project. siteco helps make the art installation an impressive experience at night in particular thanks to the use of special lighting effects.
Jiwei also designed the "Bubble Bar" on the upper floor of the Water Cube, the Olympic swimming center. Here, the artist used the transparent material for an abstract "art floor." He chose Makrolon® not just for its outstanding material properties but because he also identifies himself and his work with the polycarbonate’s characteristic features. He describes himself and his art as "tòumíng" and "bāoróng", which translates as transparent and tolerant, generous, all-embracing and connective.
For more information on polycarbonate, click here.