Lulu Meng, Between Lines Opens in New York at SFA Projects

 Lulu Meng with "Correlation" installation with wood, fabric, paint, two- way mirror, LED , micro controller, pulley, variable size, Courtesy of the artist & SFA Projects.

Lulu Meng, Between Lines
October 20th 2022- November 20th, 2022
sfaprojects.com

Text and photos By RUBEN NATAL-SAN MIGUEL

In her first solo US exhibition at SFA Projects titled Between Lines conceptual artist Lulu Meng addresses notions of inclusiveness, togetherness and belonging. With a celebration and gathering of circular/round shapes, drawings and stainless steel/wood sculptures that represent humanity from all walks of life - individual units are presented as a whole.

Certain artists use highly representational or figurative work to narrate and suggest the times that we live in and at times with graphic, sexualized, violent and shocking imagery. Meng choses to make work in a way that is unspecific to any religion, sex, gender, class or sexual preference. Seeing the world and humanity in an elegant and in a universal manner, Meng presents her thoughts in 3D. In this physical and psychological context, Meng's works are what I would consider ''Quiet Activism." As for the color pallette, or its absence (white is considered the absence of color), Meng uses a white monochromatic color palette using ink and surface to accomplish certain goals. It confronts us; a very soothing, clinical, stark, futuristic- subliminal quality in the room that reminds one of minimalism in art and in films such as Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. Meng also has a high-level, extremely polished production level in terms of the quality and the design which adds a lot to the overall experience of the exhibition.

“We are similar.”
“We are all connected.''
''We Are One'' - Lulu Meng

Exhibition Curator, Sophia Chizuco did a wonderful job organizing the artworks in a cohesive manner that the interaction between the ''Correlation'' installation, the ink on paper drawings and the stainless steel sculptures speak to each other, interact and make the experience for the viewer unified, concise and welcoming. You really feel like you've become a part of the exhibition - part of the environment Meng creates. 

''Correlation'' contains several circular objects that are hung and interconnected by a single pulley system. The audience can interact with the objects by moving them up and down. When one object or multiple objects are moved, their movements affect the position of other untouched objects in the system. It requires a negotiation to arrange each object to the ideal viewing position to experience the details of the objects. This installation is a completely interactive piece. When the gallery lights are out, it becomes this cosmic illuminated universe and gives one the sensation of lying down on the floor and staring upward into the cosmos. It's just like when you are in an open field looking up at the starry, constellation filled sky...

In another piece, Meng represents the 50 states of America created right after the US Supreme Court struck down Roe V Wade.  She accomplishes this by outlining building symbols, all delineated in a circle to express unity, inclusiveness and togetherness. It reminds one that this situation has an effect on every woman and every citizen in America...
 

Lulu Meng with ''Correlation"  2022 ( Detail ) Wood, Fabric, paint , two- way mirror, LED , micro controller, pulley . Variable size, courtesy of the artist & SFA Projects.
 

Lulu Meng, Correlation 2022 (Detail), Wood, Fabric, paint , two- way mirror, LED , micro controller, pulley . Variable size, courtesy of the artist & SFA Projects. 
 

There is also some of the circular objects done as two dimensional works made with ink on paper. This is one below is the one I mentioned that was inspired after the Roe V Wade aftermath representing the 50 states of America:
 

Lulu Meng- '' Quadrant III '' 2022 Ink on Paper 15 in x 15 in, courtesy of the artist and SFA Projects
 

Meng's sculptures are in her own words assembled as ''Floral Arrangements of Humans'' and in a very abstract/figurative sense by using stainless steel and wire she quite masterfully arranges. By manifesting different shapes, sizes and volumes, overlapping each other and at times the conglomeration of these human arrangements, Meng creates other larger human silhouettes within silhouettes. The sense of inclusiveness of human beings from all walks of life is represented - making these sculptures quite compelling for viewers. WM
 

Lulu Meng- '' The Square '' 2022 Stainless Steel, wood 20 in 10 in x10 in, courtesy of the artist & SFA Projects, New York, NY.

Lulu Meng with "Profile", 2022 Stainless Steel, wood, 20 in 12 in x14 in, courtesy of the artist & SFA Projects

Lulu Meng, In or Out, 2022 Stainless Steel, wood, 22 in x 24 in x15 in, courtesy of the artist & SFA Projects

Between Lines Artist Lulu Meng & Exhibition Curator Sophia Chizuco. All Photos by Ruben Natal-San Miguel

Installation view, SFA Projects, New York, NY
 

A child interacting with the exhibition

At the opening

Take a stroll downtown to NYC's LES to see this show:
October 20th 2022- November 13, 2022
sfaprojects.com
contact@sfaprojects.com