Song Dong and Yin Xiuzhen in Beijing

17 MINUTES

Working ‘like chopsticks’, two married artists create independently, in tandem

The husband and wife artists Song Dong and Yin Xiuzhen consider themselves to be like chopsticks – existing independently, but operating in tandem. This metaphor is at the centre of their ongoing project ‘The Way of Chopsticks’ (2002-), which features sculptures and installations they’ve created based on a system of agreeing on a theme, working alone in secret, and then bringing the finished final products together for exhibition. Spanning some two decades, the project also charts the evolution of their relationship, including the entire life of their daughter Song ErRui, now a young adult, who has also become an artistic collaborator. And, as this short documentary from Art21 details, the churning of time and the transformations it brings permeates both their individual and collective oeuvres.

Surveying projects from ‘The Way of Chopsticks’ and beyond, the film explores how the couple’s art, while independently realised, is similarly inspired by the cycles of destruction, displacement and development that characterise modern cities. Especially prominent in their work is the incredible transformation of their native Beijing, where, over the course of their lives, the weathered beauty of the traditional hutong neighbourhoods has given way to monolithic, glass high-rises. From sculptures built from used clothing and scuffed window frames, to seductive edible cityscapes designed to be toppled and consumed, Song and Yin produce works that are instantly striking, but reveal complex layers when closely inspected or carefully considered. And, often working with recycled materials, Dong and Xiuzhen’s work strives to preserve memories – of loved ones and beloved places – that might otherwise be lost to time.

Video by Art21

Directors: Bryan Chang, Vicky Du

Explore more

A woman drawing on an easel in a courtyard with greenery and a modern glass building in the background.

To become more attuned to the world around you, try sketching outdoors

Video by The Museum of Modern Art

Abstract drawing of a face with vibrant colours, featuring red cheeks and a patterned necklace on an orange background.
Psyche Exclusive

Born of memory and mystery – the otherworldly works of a self-taught, unhoused artist

Directed by Tal Amiran

An Aboriginal painter depicts scenes from her youth in this beautiful short

A film by Grace Kemarre Robinya and Jonathan Daw

Surreal photo of a person wearing glasses and a hat with their face distorted, leaning towards a camera in a hallway.

This sculptor finds deep weirdness – not divinity – in the human form

Directed by Ben Berman

An elderly woman in a patterned beanie holding a red card with holes punched into it in front of her face.

Circles possess a defiant beauty in the abstract works of Howardena Pindell

Directed by César Martínez Barba

A woman holds a square mirror that blocks her face; it reflects rocks and grass. There is blue sky and clouds in the background. The only element in focus is the reflection on the mirror.

Losing her eyesight, a painter’s art evolves with the way she sees the world

Directed by Liberty Smith

Black and white photo of a hand holding a scallop shell. The background is blurred and the shell shows detailed texture.

A poetic, sea-soaked tribute to the ‘cockle women’ of Wales

Directed by Lily Tiger

Two silhouetted people stand against a dramatic orange and purple sunset sky.

In the outback, a town of two awaits visitors to their emergency airport

Directed by Yannick Jamey