Comic Books, from the Hiding in Venezuela series by Liu Bolin – detail of the comic-book wall with the camouflaged figure
Comic Books, from the Hiding in Venezuela series by Liu Bolin – detail of the Tomb Raider and Superman covers
Comic Books, from the Hiding in Venezuela series by Liu Bolin – detail of the camouflaged figure's head and shoulders
Comic Books, from the Hiding in Venezuela series by Liu Bolin – detail of the top row of comic covers
Comic Books, from the Hiding in Venezuela series by Liu Bolin – detail of the Superman and X-Men covers
Liu Bolin Chinese, b. 1973
90 x 120 cm
Further images
The photographer stands immobile, perfectly painted in camouflage to blend into detailed backgrounds that range from magazine stands to the Great Wall. With his compositions, Bolin comments on consumerism, rapid development, and the role of the artist in contemporary society. Traversing mediums such as performance, photography and social activism, Liu Bolin dissects the tense relationship between the individual and society by ‘disappearing’ into environments which are sites of intrigue, contention, and criticism.
Hiding in Venezuela Series:
Inflation, shortages and idiosyncrasies: Banknotes, food products and consumer products. The subject of economics attracted the attention of the artist. The variety in the denomination of the banknotes and their designs (the different images of animals and patriotic heroes, the symbols) were also reason of his attention. The queues at groceries and supermarkets moved their interest and decided to incorporate products such as Flour PAN, beer, comic book shelves and fruits of the region, displayed on their characteristic wooden shelves and drawers.