In 2020, amid the pandemic, art collector and YOUCISHAN music company (有此山文化) founder, Xi Tao, took a break from his career, contemplating how to reconnect his passions despite the restrictions. This resulted in “All Creation,” a crossover project and collaboration involving artists, musicians and galleries. Despite challenges, the project was a pleasant surprise, exceeding expectations in just three months. Now, three years later, “All Creation II: Distant Similarity” has been officially launched at the West Bond Dome in Shanghai, representing a continued exploration of cross-cultural collaboration in art and music.
“All Creation II” follows the theme of its predecessor, “All Creation I: Encounter with Animals,” by once again centering on nature. The main concept of this special program is defined as “distant similarity,” further exploring the interconnectedness and relationships found in the natural world. The term refers to Stephen Hawking’s perspective on the most romantic aspect of life. This rational and emotional aphorism not only hints at the core of the universal link between things but also directly refers to the underlying logic of “All Creation II: Distant Similarity.”
In a bold experiment of harmony and difference, “All Creation II” pairs eight groups of musicians with eight contemporary artists, each focusing on distinct themes such as “sea,” “desert,” “star,” “light,” “island,” “forest,” “breeze,” and “rock.” These themes were crafted individually, and the final results were seamlessly integrated into a single album, showcasing the resonating synergy between music and contemporary art.
Xi Tao, reflecting on the consideration behind setting the theme and selecting key elements for the two albums, emphasised the deeper life experiences shared by all human beings. “Based on the principle and condition of using something more universal to make everyone feel related, we chose to use animals and natural substances that we all inevitably come into contact with.”
The lineup for “All Creation II” features eight groups of musicians from Youcishan including Chen Li, Good Meimei, Jiao Maiqi, Chen Jingfei and Plusone Wang. The roster is further enriched by the inclusion of renowned musician Gong Linna, the ever-popular Taiwanese band Accusefive and the Japanese band The fin. Together, these diverse musical contributors bring a rich tapestry of sounds and perspectives to the collaborative project.
Regarding the contemporary art part, Xi Tao, as a collector, took inspiration from his own experience, inviting eight outstanding artists, namely Gioele Amaro, Angela Bulloch, Hou Zichao, Hiroyuki Matsuura, Giovanni Ozzola, Tao Hui, Song Kun and Sun Yitian, to explore this abstract and multidimensional topic.
In addition to the traditional medium of painting, the second series creatively incorporates video and installation works to deepen the public’s perception of contemporary art. Musically, the range of styles spans from rock and psychedelic pop to experimental electronic, thereby redefining the scope of “All Creation” and expanding the project in ways that enrich and diversify the overall work.
While “All Creation I” was born out of impulsiveness, the approach for “All Creation II” became more thoughtful, extending the preparation time from three months to nearly two years. Xi Tao admits, “The challenge stems from the fact that we are dealing with many types of audiences, some come for music, some for art… so we have to be simple yet deep in terms of content. Everything can be interpreted as an effective attempt at ‘publicness’.”
His ambitious plans include bringing “All Creation” to one of China’s most influential art fairs and collaborating with major music festivals and art museums in the coming year, anticipating the unique reactions it might evoke within the music scene.
The charm of “All Creation” lies in its unpredictability, with sparks of creativity generated through accidental collisions, resulting in a bright yet non-blinding light. Notably, during the project, musicians and artists collaborated on the eight themes without any communication, ensuring that each work held surprises and a resonant quality.
Over the past eight years, Xi Tao has been trying to answer the question “What happens when music and art meet?” Through various experiments, he has explored the intersection of these two forms. In 2016, together with musician and collector Yao Qian, Xi Tao collaborated with artist Shi Guowei to create the cover for the song, marking his initial foray into the joy of collecting contemporary art. The fascinating paradox of Shi’s photography and painting methodology, which combined figuration and abstraction, photorealism and handmade texture, left a lasting impression on him.
In 2017, a visit to artist Zhao Gang’s solo exhibition led Xi Tao to a profound connection and attraction with the painting “View from Black Bridge.” The paradise-like landscape inspired him to name the work “Penglai” (Paradise) and share it with musician Chen Li, leading to the creation of the music album “In Penglai”. Music and art consistently complement each other in the collector’s life, opening the door to a new world through collecting contemporary art.
Xi Tao’s approach to collecting relies heavily on the first impression a work leaves on him, delving into the artist’s background only after living with the piece. His criteria are rooted in personal resonance and affordability, transcending categories like local/international or emerging/established.
The evolution of Xi Tao’s collecting experience gave rise to A26 Art Space, a multifaceted platform that serves as a nexus for his music company, housing restaurants, cafes, art exhibitions, music performances and office space–all with contemporary flair. A26 Art Space alongside “All Creation,” embodies Xi Tao’s fundamental philosophy of equality and diversity coexisting in contemporary art. By combining art with coffee and food, he extends the visitor’s experience and engagement, fostering a longer, more intimate and delicate connection with the artworks. Similarly, “All Creation” brings contemporary art to a broader audience, aligning with Xi Tao’s commitments to crossover collaborations and selecting artists and works carefully for public appreciation.
Instagram: @taoxi93
Spotify: 万物II：遥远的相似性
