She Zuo Bin,  a Chinese beekeeper enters into a trance-like state with his bees in YúYú by Marc Johnson. Image: Artist/ Vancouver Biennale 

At the Vancouver Biennale residency, Marc Johnson continues his investigation of the relationship between art,  human, and nature

BY KAZAD

CANADA- Marc Johnson, the award-winning visual artist, architect, and filmmaker is creating new artworks as part of his 10-week residency at the Vancouver Biennale. The new artworks will be presented to the public in June at a big picnic event with the theme of re-IMAGE-n.

Working at the intersection of the Arts, Humanities, Science, and Technology, Marc Johnson works in a variety of media from film, sculpture, site-specific and creative technologies. In his works, the artist investigates the hierarchies between humans and non-humans species in a way that rekindles lost concept that humans exist beyond the physical experience. That there are other forms of life and experiences.

Ultraviolet is one of the works in which Marc brings attention to other forms of life.  In the film, a woman known as Kanchana uses voodoo on scorpions in a rainforest at night in Thailand under the influence of ultraviolet lights. Submerged in a river filled with leaves, the woman gazes at a scorpion as if commanding it to perform some actions. In some images, the scorpion is seen running around and in others, it walks around the face of a woman. Supported by voodoo music, the film conjures a magnetic spiritual essence. Inspired by a Chinese poem of the 3rd century BC – written by Zhuangzi – “The Butterfly’s Dream”, Ultraviolet tells the story of the interrelationship between humans and other creatures. But more importantly, it shows the power of the dream and the subconscious.

Through his artworks, Marc Johnson is continually exploring the relationship between humans and the environment, particularly how humans have affected the environment, causing global-warming through their actions. His haunted landscapes of Anthropocene are reminders of the impact and contribution of humans to global warming.  Marc’s works also engage issues of “Posthuman, multi-species sociability, and entanglements as well as the art of storytelling, among other schemes.”

YúYú: Shé Zuo Bin and his bees

YúYú, a short film devoted to the rite of spring performed by Shé Zuo Bin, a Chinese beekeeper, who enters into a trance-like state with his bees is an important example of Marc Johnson’s storytelling ability.  Using different camera angle shots and visual elements, the artist creates a living sculpture in which Shé Zuo Bin’s body is overtaken by hundreds of his bees. The film eulogizes a symbiotic relationship between humans and nature, emphasizing their interdependency.  Borrowing from the Chinese tradition, Marc reminds viewers that man is a bridge between heaven and earth. Additionally, he uses YúYú to show how art can be used to bring attention to the relation between art and nature.

In communicating his ideas, Marc Johnson explores different strategies. One is that he collaborates with other artists. Additionally, he conducts research, and fieldwork. Marc also writes, lectures, and engages in filmmaking, installation and photography.

Marc’s artworks have been exhibited in museum and galleries across the globe. In 2018, his works were on display at Sundance film festival.  In 2017, the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti-Shrem Museum of Art showed his work to art lovers. Marc’s works have also been presented in numerous solo and collective exhibitions. They include 5th Moscow Biennale of Young Art, 2017, Sundance film festival 2016, La Maréchalerie 2016, Zentrum für Medienkunst, and Halle 2016, CNEAI= 2015. Others include   Galerie Nationale du Jeu de Paume 2014, arc en rêve centre d’architecture 2016, 65th Berlin International film festival 2015 and Ricard Foundation, 2009.

Marc Johnson has also won some important awards including the “honorable mention for best experimental short film” from the 10th Annual Milwaukee film festival in the United States (2018).  In 2017, he won the “Cornish Family Prize for Art and Design Publishing” from the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne in Australia. Other awards include “Best Short Film Award” from the International Film Festival de Gran Canaria in Spain (2016), the “third prize” in the experimental section in the Athens Film + Video festival in the United States (2015), and the “LVMH Young Artist Award” (2009).

About Vancouver Biennale

Located in Vancouver, BC, the Vancouver Biennale is committed to exhibiting great art in public space, with the main objective of creating a catalyst for learning, community engagement, dialogue, and social action. The organization is clearly spelled out in its mission: Our mission is to make Public Art accessible, engaging, and motivating to create vibrant and inspired communities.

Marc Johnson uses his artworks to tell stories about the relationship between art, man and nature. What do you think about his works? Share your thoughts. Leave a comment