Young Chinese photographer Chi Peng (b. 1981 in Yantai, China) graduated from the Academy of Arts in Beijing in 2005 with a specialization in digital media. True and False Monkey King is part of his most recent series, a reworking of chapters from the legendary Chinese novel A Journey West: Or the Story of the Monkey King. Wu Cheng En's novel, written in the 16th century, draws on folk legends rather than official history. The novel's protagonist is Sun Wu Kong, the Monkey King who has magical powers, including the ability to take on more than 72 different forms. In Chi Peng's treatment, these are presented as his own alter egos. The young photographer transplants the figures and elements of the fantasy tale to the urban landscape of contemporary China, to all appearances a real world. Parallels are drawn with his own life's stories, his childhood, and his environment. This treatment offers a spiritual pilgrimage between the Tang dynasty and 21st -century China.
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New Acquisitions – Rarely Seen Works 13. March, 2009 – 14. June
The Ludwig Museum possesses a relatively small yet internationally significant collection of over 400 contemporary artworks. As the museum’s permanent exhibition is only able to show a small portion of the collection, we make an effort to present a fresh selection from time to time.