The Oriental Scene

The Oriental Scene investigates Chinoiserie architecture in the UK in the context of de-colonialism. The work uses a replica of the Porcelain Tower of Nanking in Kew Gardens as its primary object of investigation through the collection of archives of the Porcelain Tower, which include objects, paintings and documents. By showing the pagoda in various mediums, Yuxing explores the complexities implied in the cultural and artistic collision of Eastern and Western societies metaphorically represented by the Porcelain Tower. Photography is used to render these images in a contemporary form by redacting the outline of the reimagining of the Oriental presence. These Oriental-style structures situated in the Royal Botanic Gardens, parks, and estates of the upper classes became more permanent oriental scenes. Pagodas, whether fictional or real, inevitably change meaning when relocated. The artist investigates the relationship between the derivation of Chinese architectural images in Western visual culture. By redacting architecture, the project reflects on the fixed cultural horizons and civilisational paths of the individuals or groups that "observe" and " be observed".