A Little Absurd
The more the world changes, the more we need to reinvent the ordinary. In the clamorous climate of the present, there is something revolutionary about creating things with a sense of humor; things that are sarcastic and illogical. These creations highlight a range of very human, very collective notions: ridiculousness, awkwardness, and vulnerability. And these words, together, define absurdism. Absurdism aims to break free and this is exactly what the artist, Can Sun, does through his photography and designs. Sun manages to break us out of our day-to-day routines in an effort to create dialogue. Every day can be dramatic and unsettling, and what appear to be simple, familiar shapes and motifs aren't always what they seem. In this interview, we’ll see how the artist explores random everyday objects in new, paradoxical ways.
Photo: Courtesy of the artist.
Karen: Can you tell us more about your background and early interests that helped shape your trajectory as an artist?
Can Sun: I am from China. Before coming to London, I already had a master's degree in political science from China, and this year I got a Master's degree in photography from the Royal College of Art. If there's one thing that has always fascinated me, it's the logic and structure of things.
Karen: How has growing up in China influenced your work?
Can Sun: I come from a small city in China. The disharmony in my family from childhood has cast a deep shadow on my heart. My family is always under the dark cloud of the quarrel between my parents. Getting involved in the transformation of daily objects brings me into a state of self-forgetting, which is a kind of healing for me. The sense of accomplishment in completing the artwork also fills up the shortage of affirmation and recognition from parents to some extent.
Photo: Courtesy of the artist.
Karen: Tell us more about your experience as an artist living between London and Taipei. I spent more than one year in London as a postgraduate student at the Royal College of Art.
Can Sun: I have to say that the Royal College of Art is a great school, where the tutors will fully respect the development direction of each student and give useful suggestions, and there are many opportunities to participate in group exhibitions. I really like my school. I will also have my first solo art exhibition in mainland China next month.
Karen: What are the main themes, ideas, or philosophies that live in your sculptures?
Can Sun: I focus on the absurdity of the world and the relationship between people by taking daily objects that people tend to ignore as the subject of creation. Through the transformation or recombination of daily objects, I make them have a playful and self-mocking attitude. This kind of humor is not only an acknowledgment of the absurdity of the world but also a revolt against it.
Photos: Courtesy of the artist.
Karen: You have a master's degree in Political Science from China. How can we see an intersection between art and politics?
Can Sun: Because of the study of political science, I understand my powerlessness as an ordinary individual. History, or politics, is always carried forward by interests, and will not stop because of one person's decision. Even so, art should still celebrate the good parts of human nature; that is one of the responsibilities of art.
Karen: What does your creative process look like?
Can Sun: More often than not, inspiration strikes me, and I record a rough draft and start preparing the material accordingly. When the materials are ready, I will start shooting. Of course, the success rate is not very high; the actual work is always different from the imagination, but there are often surprises. In a word, I enjoy the process; every time the trip is new, it will free me from the repetitive work.
Photo: Courtesy of the artist.
Karen: Through your work, you explore new ways of reinventing the concept and use of daily objects. Is there a specific material or object you haven’t worked with yet and that you would like to experiment with?
Can Sun: There are so many materials I want to try that I haven't had a chance to learn yet, such as glass, pottery, and moulding. But there is no hurry. Life is long and I have plenty of time.
Karen: How would you describe functionality in design?
Can Sun: I think design is results-oriented and needs to meet some real needs. Artistic creation is more free and romantic.
Photo: Courtesy of the artist.
Karen: What do you think is the role of absurdist art during uncertain times like the ones we are facing now?
Can Sun: The world itself is absurd. We construct some meaning for our life and society, and different people get different plays to play different roles, but the ultimate purpose of human beings and philosophy does not exist. It's reassuring to think about this because it means that there is no standard right way to live. We can live our lives however we want.