Xia Xiaowan

April 17, 2007 5:46 PM

3D Glass Paintings by Xia Xiaowan. [Via Table of Malcontents.]
posted by homunculus (24 comments total)

Wow,
There is nothing I respect more than someone who progresses the art form.
posted by Count at 6:04 PM on April 17, 2007

Holy crap.
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 6:05 PM on April 17, 2007

Awesome stuff! Thank you, homunculus.
posted by BeerFilter at 6:27 PM on April 17, 2007

These remind me very much of those electron density maps they used to generate from X-ray diffraction runs, but which I am completely unable to find any pictures of.
posted by chrismear at 6:40 PM on April 17, 2007

These are amazing. But I'm desparate to walk around one of them and look at it in all it's 3D glory - no Quicktime VR's of these creations, is there?
posted by Jimbob at 6:42 PM on April 17, 2007

I had this idea ten years ago in college, but I was too drunk to follow through with it! Oh, the glory that could have been mine!
posted by interrobang at 6:59 PM on April 17, 2007

Wow, that's really a great idea.

too bad she's a terrible artist
posted by Citizen Premier at 7:37 PM on April 17, 2007

But I'm desparate to walk around one of them and look at it in all it's 3D glory ...

That was my first thought too, but I suspect that if there is any "3D" motion effect, it would be within a narrow range of movement at best. I'm betting these are really meant to be viewed from just one angle ... like those damn photos of 3D-sidewalk-chalk-guy that everyone keeps forwarding me.

But I could be wrong. Either way, these are beautiful and I'd love to see them in person too.
posted by itchylick at 7:45 PM on April 17, 2007

This "idea" has been around for at least 50 years or so, and she's really not a very good artist.
posted by signal at 8:08 PM on April 17, 2007

This "idea" has been around for at least 50 years or so, and she's really not a very good artist.

Care to expand the thread by providing any links to support your assertion? I thought it was a pretty impressive post and found the paintings interesting. Let's see what you have to blowing it out of the water.
posted by theantikitty at 8:55 PM on April 17, 2007

*blow
posted by theantikitty at 8:56 PM on April 17, 2007

See also
posted by Zinger at 9:03 PM on April 17, 2007

Yes, a side-view would be appreciated. I would be interesting to see this with a different style of art - something a little less depressing.

Also, Xia is a man.
posted by o0o0o at 9:10 PM on April 17, 2007

Amazing... and a bit creepy.
posted by minda25 at 9:19 PM on April 17, 2007

This "idea" has been around for at least 50 years or so, and she's really not a very good artist.

Oh okay, thanks! Here I was liking it, but I guess you set me straight. Now that I know what you think, I'll consider it rubbish as well.

Thanks!
posted by Jimbob at 9:19 PM on April 17, 2007

Cool find homunculus. Strange images, Francis Bacon meets holographic smokey ghosts captured on glass.

Xia Xiaowan's biography.

More images of his eerie works of art.

Additional images and a little about his creative process.

More images of his work in various art galleries.
posted by nickyskye at 9:27 PM on April 17, 2007 [1 favorite]

Francis Bacon meets holographic smokey ghosts captured on glass.

Nice description! Thanks for the links, nickyskye!
posted by homunculus at 9:52 PM on April 17, 2007

sideways view on the painting to the right.
posted by five fresh fish at 10:51 PM on April 17, 2007

Excellent, thankyou.
I live about 500m north of the academy he teaches at. I should go an accost him at the gates and get him to sign some spectacles lenses or something...
posted by Abiezer at 2:13 AM on April 18, 2007

Could we hear some elaboration from the "good idea, terrible artist" camp? What don't you like about the artistry?
posted by churl at 11:09 AM on April 18, 2007

Maybe the fact that it isn't pleasing to look at?
posted by Citizen Premier at 11:19 AM on April 18, 2007

I mean, the glass effect is. But the paintings themselves obviously can't stand on their own, to me at least.
posted by Citizen Premier at 11:20 AM on April 18, 2007

why didn't I think of that?!?!
It's like a giant rotoscope machine, but sideways!
posted by joelf at 8:29 PM on April 18, 2007

Oh okay, thanks! Here I was liking it, but I guess you set me straight. Now that I know what you think, I'll consider it rubbish as well.

You're welcome. Educating the masses is usually a thankless job, it's good to get some recognition.
posted by signal at 9:26 AM on April 19, 2007