Allegory of Balance #18
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The crystalline glaze was obtained by chance early during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). The key is the firing process. . . . I can only control up to 80 percent of the outcome; the rest is in the hands of God. -Li Hongwei
Li used crystalline glazing in his multimedia installation Allegory of Balance #18. This type of ceramic glazing process includes zinc oxide, which helps develop vibrant patterns during the cooling stages of a kiln firing. After producing the ceramic pieces, Li incorporated polished steel to reflect the glowing glaze designs.
When composing the eight heavy components Li carefully considered their visual appearance, weight, and balance. His installation was inspired by the Daoist concept of Yin and Yang, the positive and negative forces that complement and counteract each other.
