Logomania Carpet 1
Chen Hangfeng
陈航峰
Production date
2006
Object Detail
Media
handmade wool carpet
Measurements
200 x 200 cm
Notes
Chen Hangfeng’s witty LOGOMANIA series of papercuts and woven carpets featuring the all-too-recognisable visual branding of multinational corporations reveals his continuing interest in how Chinese society has been transformed by the rule of new ‘emperors’ in the form of powerful global corporations whose brands have changed the face of Chinese cities and impacted the life of every citizen. Chen describes them as a ‘kingdom of brands’ akin to the socialist propaganda of earlier times. He says they are ‘almost as powerful as political machines – maybe even more powerful!’ His work explores overconsumption, waste, greed and the power of advertising, as powerful in directing people’s behaviour and desires as the propaganda posters that glorified the revolution in the twentieth century. Chen’s papercuts at first resemble traditional intricate designs – until you look closely and see the Nike ‘swoosh’, the McDonalds ‘M’ and the logos of luxury brands from Puma and Adidas to Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Mercedes Benz. The transformation of his papercut designs into woven carpets references his interest in the Silk Road as a locus of cultural transfer as well as trade – carpets came into China from Iran, exchanged for silk, tea and porcelain.
Accession number
2009.008