Tears of chiwen

9 minutes | 2017 | Silent Animation | | English and Chinese subtitles

The work focused on two keywords, ‘tradition’ and ‘mythic’. Chiwen (鸱吻) is a traditional ornamental motif used on the edge of a roof in the form of a young dragon. It has a protective function that symbolizes an ability to control rain and protect against fire. A similar ornament can be found both in Korea (called Mangse) and Japan (called Shachihoko). The ‘tears’ of the chiwen imply the sadness of Asian tradition losing its dominant position in Asian countries against westernization but sublimating the despair into happiness and anticipation for a better future.

SUN Xun was born in 1980 in Fuxin in Liaoning province, China. He graduated in 2005 from the Print-making Department of the China Academy of Art. In 2006 he established π Animation Studio. He currently lives and works in Beijing. The works of Sun Xun are mainly drawing and/or animation. Sun Xun also exhibits his individual cell drawings and other mixed media works, oftentimes alongside his videos. Sun Xun’s personal visual language consists of metaphoric imagery, dark and intense hand drawing, and dreamy narrative.