Recycled Porcelain [Ancient Wears Today]

On the plane, Xu Jiuzhao, who was sitting next to each other, held Jiang Xin's hand: "The flight back to China was also on the plane together. In fact, I was quite surprised at that time. I thought you would never want to fly again."

Jiang Xin smiled: "If you don't take a plane, you can only do high-speed rail and ships in the future. At that time, we had to go back to Palau and we could only go to sea. There are heavy rains on the sea in summer, and it is more dangerous to encounter big waves. I There is no psychological shadow, it is purely that you were by my side at that time. At least we can die in the same year, the same month and the same day, and of course it is best to land safely."

Xu Jiuzhao exhorted again: "Anyway, no matter what, you must pay attention to the weather when you travel."

Jiang Xin agreed seriously, and the topic came to an end, and the two talked about the case.

"I actually never thought that Li Songyan would do this kind of thing just because of personal grievances." Xu Jiuzhao has not experienced open and secret fights, but Xu Jiuzhao has never encountered such a low-handed method of stealing works and selling them. .

"Hmph." Jiang Xin was still very brooding about Li Songyan.Even though this guy will be sentenced to a few years in prison, his reputation and future will be lost, and the hatred in his heart will not be dispelled.

"There's nothing to care about with someone like him." Xu Jiuzhao squeezed Jiang Xin's warm fingertips, and he said calmly: "For him who thinks so highly of himself, ignoring him arrogantly is the most severe punishment. .When he is unknown, worthless, and only lonely in the high wall, he will feel the pain deeply."

As soon as Wu Miao landed, she immediately contacted her reporter friend, and published the news that Xu Jiuzhao's new work was about to be exhibited in the "Paris Times".

The French media has been very interested in the follow-up of this matter.Although the news this time is not the headline, it still occupies half of the page at a relatively high position, and the news website uses pop-up messages to push this news.

Kenny McKinsey, the person in charge of the exhibition, posted a message on his social platform: "I believe that the world has already remembered Xu! He will definitely occupy a pivotal position in the history of world art. The new works are incredible , Everyone who has seen it will not be disappointed and regretful."

This aroused people's curiosity even more, and even those who had seen the exhibition before made up their minds to visit it again.

As soon as I unfold it in the morning, I can see that today is a different day from the past.Usually the flow of people in the morning is the least, and the flow of people will not increase until around 10 o'clock.But now, the nearby parking lots are full of vehicles, causing late arrivals to park their vehicles on the side streets.

Some people would rather bear the punishment of being dragged by a sticker car, but also satisfy their curiosity first.

The audience who had been there before knew that Xu Jiuzhao's booth was there, and went straight to that exhibition hall after entering the exhibition hall.A red fence was erected around the originally empty location to prevent the audience from getting too close and causing irreparable damage.

People are shocked just by looking at it.The porcelain bottle is like silver like snow, the glaze surface is clear and soft, and it exudes a soft light.It attracts people's attention, intoxicated by the pure whiteness.

This work is about 50 centimeters high. It has a small mouth and short neck, wide shoulders, and pinched waist. From the pinched waist to the bottom, it is a foothold that gradually converges.At first glance, those familiar with porcelain cannot classify it into any of the known types of bottles.

It is said to be a plum bottle, but the lines are too sharp. If it is a gourd bottle, the upper and lower sides separated by the waist are not two round bottle bellies at all.

The arc from the mouth to the shoulders is like a sharp knife, but there are gentle curves at the corners of the shoulders, giving people a very different feeling, with softness in the middle of strength.The entire upper half of the bottle presents an upside-down rectangle, and the waist-pinning arc is so smooth that it seems invisible. If it weren't for the glassy glaze, the curvature would not be visible at all.

"This?" People were puzzled, the outline seemed familiar, but now they couldn't think of it anyway.Until they finally lowered their eyes to see the name plate marked under the booth.

Participating Artist: Xu Jiuzhao

Title: "My Lover"

from China

"This silhouette...could it be a human body?" Finally someone whispered in disbelief.

With that said, it was immediately clear!

Isn't this bottle the image of a human body with broad shoulders, wasp waist and long legs?Different from the muscular display of most Europeans, this bottle shows more of an oriental body that is well-fitted but still strong, with smooth muscle lines and soft and strong outlines.

"Is this a man?" one person said, "It must be a man!" Women must not behave like this.

People immediately became agitated, shocked and laughed for a while, and of course they felt incredible.

And many women and even men somehow seem to be able to outline a man with the same figure, wide shoulders, narrow waist, narrow legs and long legs through this porcelain vase, substituting the face of the person they like unconsciously.Immediately, there was a deer bumping in his chest, his cheeks and ears were obviously hot, but he was reluctant to look away.

If it wasn't for the fence, I really wish I could touch it with my own hands.Feel the touch of that "skin", it must be very smooth!

Of course, more people appreciate it purely, as if what is in front of them is no longer a porcelain vase, but a human statue created by a famous sculptor.It is the beauty of a man's powerful body and muscular lines that only sculpture can express.

Westerners especially like and appreciate the natural beauty displayed by this kind of human body, and it is the first time that traditional ceramics are used to express this kind of human body beauty.

Just after noon, many people couldn't wait to post comments on "My Lover" online, and most of them were positive.Soon Xu Jiuzhao and his new works occupied the top search terms.

In the next few days, the heat became more and more intense, and the exhibitors even had to control the number of people entering the exhibition hall every day.When it was confirmed that it was "My Lover" who won the gold award this time, people's enthusiasm was completely ignited, and it even reached the point where tens of thousands of people went to the exhibition at the airport!

No way, who made this exhibition full of twists and turns, and full of drama and legend.

Columnist Chloe Bertie wrote in the latest issue of Ceramics Review: "...After reading The World of Light and Shadow, I thought I would never be surprised by anyone's work again. .However, I was wrong.

I never imagined that there would be a person who could express such a complex work with only outline lines.It never occurred to me that someone could express two types of art with one object.This is a brand new breakthrough and innovation.

Until now, some people are still arguing whether this is a porcelain vase or a sculpture, but I think, what is the difference? ..."

From the previous public opinion war, people who are clearly supporting Xu Jiuzhao's Chloe who wrote such a high evaluation are not very surprised.

However, the speech of Timothy Garnett, director of the Louvre Museum, surprised people.

He posted a very long review article on his personal webpage, in which he analyzed in full the various unique features of this porcelain vase, as well as what it has not been noticed before, how it blends modernity and ancient times, China and China. The essence of Western art.Even his expressive technique, which is subtle and straightforward, has won the spirit of Eastern and Western art.He pointedly pointed out that Xu Jiuzhao is the first and only person he has ever seen who can combine ancient and modern things with things to this extent!

Finally, he said: "I have been paying attention to Xu. I am very curious what kind of content he will use to express the theme of this exhibition when he appears again. The time changes of his previous performances are really eye-catching. Some of the exhibitors used Anger, sadness, joy, happiness, hatred, distortion, etc. to express his emotional life. This time Xu used the theme of passionate love to express his current life.

He did it very successfully.Everyone who sees this work can directly feel the fiery emotions in the creator's heart, and people can't help but want to devote themselves to the passionate love and feel the joy and happiness.

This work not only has indisputable value in terms of artistry, but also fully represents the highest level of contemporary art. It can be said to be a masterpiece like a historical landmark.

In a short period of time, "The World of Light and Shadow" and "My Lover" have been created successively, two works that can be called treasures at the same time, and both can arouse people's appreciation and heated discussions. I can say that Xu Jiuzhao has become A phenomenal artist.

His existence itself is the wealth of mankind! "

Timothy Garnett's review article received many replies and reprints. This can be said to be a highly praised evaluation, which surprised Xu Jiuzhao and the others.

With the unanimous praise from the western media and the negligible or irresistible trend of opposition and criticism, the French International Biennale came to an end.

The exhibition is held grandly, and the corresponding award ceremony is also very grand. It is not only various artists from the art circle who come to see the award ceremony, such as painters, sculptors, potters, architects, photographers, etc., There are also some celebrities from all walks of life, various associations, representatives of art newspapers and periodicals, etc.

Undoubtedly, the hosts of the awards ceremony were two very famous TV hosts, and the guests who came to present the awards included celebrities from all walks of life, but most of them were more or less connected with the art circle.

Since there are many types of art in the Biennale, more than an hour had passed by the time the award was awarded to the category of pottery.

If it wasn't for Jiang Xin's gentle touch on his arm, Xu Jiuzhao wouldn't have known it was sent to himself.Xu Jiuzhao couldn't understand a single word of the birdsong that everyone in the venue spoke.

Xu Jiuzhao stood up, Jiang Xin also stood up, and the two walked towards the stage one after the other.Xu Jiuzhao can't speak English, and it happens that the two hosts don't understand Chinese, so they communicated in advance and brought someone with them as an interpreter.

The two hosts congratulated him with smiles on their faces, and Xu Jiuzhao just nodded and smiled reservedly.The person who came to present awards to the pottery category was a very famous pottery artist in the industry who was over 60 years old.

He gave the three men medals and certificates, and each gave a hug.

After the awards are distributed, it is customary for the host to conduct a brief interview.

So the hostess asked Xu Jiuzhao: "What I have been very curious about until now is that Xu, you are in a relationship, right? It is said that your works are created based on lovers. I am very envious of the one who is so romantic by you." Man's beloved, can you tell me who the lucky one is?"

Jiang Xin looked at him softly and translated in a low voice.

Xu Jiuzhao smiled lowly, and then said to the host: "Isn't he standing beside me?"

Jiang Xin straightened her body unconsciously, and Bel proudly translated the sentence back.

The hostess exaggeratedly said: "Oh, so you are the lucky one who makes the whole world envy and envy you! My God, are you not afraid of being put on a sack and dragged to the alley to beat black sticks when you walk on the street? !"

This humorous remark caused the audience to burst into laughter.

Then the hostess went on to say: "Wait, I'm sure it's not the first time I've seen this handsome face." The survivor of the previous air crash? The one who can make porcelain!"

Jiang Xin smiled calmly: "I can't think of anyone else among us who can make porcelain, I think it should be me."

The hostess covered her mouth in surprise: "Oh, I really didn't expect to meet such a legendary figure. I watched the short video of the Australian counterparts. Are those porcelains really fired in such a simple environment? Didn't someone leave it there before? Forgive me for asking, I'm so curious."

Such doubts are not limited to the hostess herself. I believe that there are not a few people who have the same doubts in front of the TV and computer at this moment.

"Correct me, the ones I burn are just pottery, they can't be called porcelain at all. I don't think you will have this doubt after today," Jiang Xin turned to look at Xu Jiuzhao, and the two looked at each other, palms clasped Together, "Because my lover is such an outstanding pottery master, what I know is just the superficial part of what he taught me."

The hostess looked like she was moved to tears: "This is really touching. It is your love for each other that made you what you are today. I wish you happiness forever."

Jiang Xin replied on behalf of the two: "Thank you, we will be happy forever." There was a round of warm applause at the scene.

Undoubtedly, following Xu Jiuzhao's works, he himself has also shown his face in major media, and of course there are also photos of the two holding hands.

Because of that work, and because of the unusual experiences of the two of them, the Internet is full of blessings for the two of them, making Jiang Xin happy to keep checking social networking sites, just to see more blessings for the two of them.

After the exhibition closes, there will be an auction of the works.At this time, everyone focused on the piece of "My Lover" - now this porcelain bottle has been classified as this kind of bottle by the International Ceramics Association, and officially named it Lover's Bottle - I think it will definitely sell Offer an astonishingly high price.

However, to the exhibitor's surprise, Wu Miao rejected the exhibitor's auction on behalf of Xu Jiuzhao.

"How could you?" The person in charge of the auction was angry and puzzled, "We signed a contract at the beginning, and all the works in the exhibition must accept the follow-up arrangements and sales of the exhibitor."

The French Biennale is an internationally renowned art exhibition, and the final transaction price of each artwork is jaw-dropping.More and more wealthy people from all over the world are flocking to it, making this exhibition more prosperous.

Every time the finale is a work with a gold medal, without this work, this auction will suddenly lose its color.

"Of course I can." Wu Miao smiled, "I'm afraid you have forgotten that the work that I signed with you at the beginning was "Light and Shadow", not this "My Lover". Then according to the contract, you Only the right to auction "Light and Shadow", not the right to auction this work."

This made the exhibitor dumbfounded.

When they finalized Xu Jiuzhao's new works to replace the lost ones in the exhibition, they only had a verbal agreement. Because it was a private negotiation, the contract was not amended.

This negligent loophole made the exhibitor beat his chest with regret.

Wu Miao walked away proudly, and finally let out a bad breath.

Of course, the actual reason is that Jiang Xin and Xu Jiuzhao are unwilling to let this work be collected by others.They have already agreed that if this work is not for sale, it will be placed in their home.

Then Wu Miao became sad again. He still had to deal with claims, and arguing with the insurance company was not an easy task.

Every time there is a large-scale exhibition, those precious works of art are insured, which is the type of business that insurance companies least like.On the one hand, it is because the insurance amount is too high to afford, and on the other hand, it is too difficult to price artworks.

The insurance amount is too high, which can be solved by several insurance companies, but the pricing of artworks is the most troublesome.

The talents of the insurance company will not set prices based on market expectations, potential value, etc., but will only do their best to keep the price as low as possible.

Although the total amount of insurance for this exhibition is as high as tens of millions of euros, it is the amount of insurance for thousands of exhibits in general.If it falls on a single exhibit, only 50 euros can be compensated.

Wu Miao felt that this was too low, so she formed a group with a group of eloquent partners to check the insurance company every day.In the end, the insurance company had to raise the amount to 100 million euros, and Wu Miao calmed down.

This auction disappointed many wealthy people. Originally, they thought that there would be no "World of Light and Shadow", and it would be good to have "My Lover" in their pockets.As a result, the work never appeared at all!

Although the auction was not agreed, the obligation to win the prize still had to be fulfilled. "My Lover" started a half-year global tour.

Time passed quickly, and it was December in a blink of an eye.Just when people gradually forgot about this theft that made many people regret, a sudden news surprised people, "Light and Shadow" was recovered!

When they first heard the news, Xu Jiuzhao and the others couldn't believe it.They had given up all hope, but they received a call from Police Officer Hank, saying that they knew the whereabouts of the four screens. In less than a day, the work was searched out of the man's house.

Went to Paris again, at the police office, saw the four lost and found screens quietly displayed on the conference table, Wu Miao was so excited that she was speechless.

Xu Jiuzhao managed to control himself not to lose his composure: "Where did you find it?"

Officer Hanke named a person, Xu Jiuzhao and Jiang Xin didn't know who it was, but Wu Miao was very surprised.

"This person is the president of a large department store chain, who is said to have bought this work from an anonymous broker." Police Officer Hank also found it incredible, "The robber has not been caught until now, so there is no I know which broker he is dealing with. So the investigation is very difficult. To be honest, we don't think we can get back this "Light and Shadow". But the president couldn't bear it after all, and he betrayed himself. "

This person also participated in the preview, and he was as obsessed with "Light and Shadow" as Terrazzini was with "Night Star".If in Terrazzini's view, "Night Stars" is a lovable girl, then "Light and Shadow" is the goddess in his heart.

Although this president owns a group company, his background is not as rich as those wealthy families, the kind of real rich people.Therefore, he began to worry that he would not be able to win the final auction, so he had evil thoughts in his heart and spent money to find a middleman to hire the thief.

And the thief took the order and went to prepare various plans. He found many people, and Li Songyan, who was full of resentment and drunk at the bar, fell into his eyes.

Li Songyan hated Xu Jiuzhao so much, and wished that "Light and Shadow" would disappear, so he hit it off with him.These two people are just using each other, but they all have the same purpose, which is to steal the four screens.

The four screens were successfully obtained, and the president of the department store group held them in his hands and laughed secretly for a long time.He felt that after two months, the rumors might have passed, so he couldn't bear to get the supporting facilities for the four screens.

This screen must be placed on a mount, and the president must also customize a mount made of expensive wood.

The carpenter who accepted the custom order was an old craftsman, and he thought it was strange, how could someone ask for four such mounts all at once.So he talked about it during dinner, and it turned out that his son became a fan of Xu Jiuzhao after seeing the exhibition.

He has always regarded it as a regret not being able to see "Light and Shadow" with his own eyes, and has collected a lot of relevant information.He felt suspicious when he heard it, and immediately called the police.

As a result, after investigation, this person also customized a special track light, a pair of hatchbacks, and this time he was right.The police acted immediately, and immediately blocked the president at home, and found this set of interstitial screens from his home.

Dramatic beginning, dramatic development, dramatic end.This interstitial screen can be called the man of the year, making the headlines for the third time.

"The World of Light and Shadow" was recovered, which is as surprising as a Christmas gift.

Because of the high degree of attention, the case soon entered the stage of judicial proceedings, and the final result was that the president was sentenced to prison.By the time the four screens that were used as evidence were returned to the original owner, it was already January of the next year.

Taking advantage of the popularity, Wu Miao entrusted this ill-fated work to a company with auction qualifications, and held a special auction just for it.

I just advertised a little bit, but I received inquiries 24 hours a day.

Rich businessmen from all over the world have heard about it for a long time. Even if they can't buy it, they still have to take this opportunity to see it with their own eyes. Who knows, they will be put away by that local tyrant and never seen again.

Before the auction started, Jiang Xin and Xu Jiuzhao welcomed an unexpected guest in the hotel they lived in.

This is a friend of Mr. Jiang, the director of the Beijing Palace Museum.

"Dean? Why did you come to France?" Jiang Xin once met this old man when he was young, and he will be very surprised many years later.

"I'm here just for you." The dean smiled.Xu Jiuzhao looked at him in confusion, and the dean turned to him and said, "Actually, it's for Master Xu's "Light and Shadow."

Xu Jiuzhao is a little uncomfortable. Although the media and the Internet have always called him a phenomenon-level artist, he is still not used to calling him everyone in person.

"You can just call me Xiao Xu." Xu Jiuzhao said modestly.

The dean looked at him appreciatively: "It's rare for such a young man to have such great achievements without being arrogant."

Jiang Xin invited him into the reception room of the hotel suite.

The dean took a sip of the white water that Jiang Xin poured, and said, "I'm here to attend the auction this time."

Jiang Xin and Xu Jiuzhao looked at each other in surprise: "You mean, you are here to participate in the auction of "Light and Shadow"?"

The dean nodded affirmatively: "That's right, I'm here for it."

Jiang Xin frowned all of a sudden.He said hesitantly: "But the collections of the museum have always been antiques, and there has never been such a modern artwork. It is a bit inappropriate for the Palace Museum to collect "Light and Shadow"?"

The dean smiled and said: "Who says it's inappropriate. There are works from the Stone Age to modern times in the Palace Museum. Most of the collections in it are national treasures, and the four screens of Xiao Xu's "Light and Shadow" are of course It is a national treasure-level cultural relic and fully meets the criteria for entry into Tibet."

Jiang Xin didn't know what to say for a while.

The dean looked at him knowingly and said, "I'm not here today to make things difficult for you." The auction has already been publicized, and wealthy people from all over the world are gathering in Paris.Besides, he didn't come to "beg for alms" this time.This relationship is really a bit unbearable.

He said: "I heard that the Louvre Museum, the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the British Museum in London...these guys are all on the move. If I don't move, I will be called a backward person." The dean laughed "But this time the competition is too fierce. Even if these museums are willing to spend a lot of money than us, it is difficult to win. Therefore, I am just a soy sauce this time, and I can feast my eyes on it." It’s also satisfying.”

If the dean hadn't mentioned it, Jiang Xin and Xu Jiuzhao would have never known that this work had attracted so many large museums.

The dean sat here for a short time, because he had just arrived in France and needed to obtain the admission qualification for the auction, so he left soon.

Xu Jiuzhao felt a little confused at the moment. He asked Jiang Xin: "The scene seems a bit too big. What kind of price can you sell for this "Light and Shadow" auction?"

Jiang Xin tilted her head: "I can't guess. It's just that it must be an astonishingly high price."

Because they were the holders of the artwork, Wu Miao directly arranged all three of them in the VIP seats.In fact, the audience is full of VIPs, and the seats are comfortable and luxurious, but their seats are particularly good.

Xu Jiuzhao turned his head and looked at the men and women who were whispering behind him. He was a bit blind to foreigners, and he couldn't tell even acquaintances.And there are not many oriental faces, and most of them don't know each other.

When the time is up, an auctioneer in formal attire goes straight up from the side, this is the trump card of this company.Being articulate will also drive the atmosphere, not to mention that this work was famous before, and a few words aroused the passion of the people present.

As usual, there is a display of auction items, and this special session also specially prepared this link for the four screens.Since there were a lot of people who came to the auction this time, it was impossible for everyone to watch it closely, and there was a large display screen next to it.

The track lights were pushed up, and the scene lights were turned off, and the dreamlike scene was staged again.Many people at the scene came here because of the reputation, and it was the first time they saw it with their own eyes, and they couldn't help but exclaimed together.

The voice of exclaiming God made many people who had seen this wonder with their own eyes feel agitated and proud at the same time.

Originally, many spectators suddenly strengthened their determination to get this treasure.

After watching the exhibits, the auction officially started. The starting price is 500 million euros, and each increase should not be less than 10 euros.

This price can be said to be an astonishingly high price for an artist who has just become famous.However, everyone present took it for granted, and some people began to raise their placards to increase the price. From the very beginning, there was a strong smell of gunpowder.

"1000 million!"

"1500 million!"

"2500 million!"

"5000 million!!"

Many people were astonished by the person who opened his mouth and raised the auction price all at once. This is just the beginning. As for this?Many rich people underestimated this, thinking that 2500 million would be the top.No matter how rare it is, it is also a contemporary work of art!

However, in the hearts of some people, different meanings are attached to this "The World of Light and Shadow".For this, they spared no expense.

After 5000 million, the price increase began to slow down, from 1000 million to 500 million.This prompted the price to cross the 1 million euro mark in no time.

"Oh my god, my god. I can't breathe. I need to go out and calm down." Wu Miao finally couldn't bear it anymore. His heartbeat has been speeding up crazily from the beginning, until now he feels that no matter how fast he breathes, he can't keep up. Oxygen was being supplied to the brain, and he was going to faint.

"...Oh, um." Xu Jiuzhao seemed calm and softly, but he was actually a little stunned.Next to him, Jiang Xin stretched out her hand and held him tightly, leaned over and said in a low voice, "The current price has exceeded the highest transaction price of contemporary art after World War II! Jiu Zhao, you have set a record!"

He was still very excited when he heard his voice, Xu Jiuzhao calmed down a little bit of fright, he smiled and said, "I didn't expect these people to be so enthusiastic about this work."

Jiang Xin suppressed his excitement and said, "This is the charm of your creations." His eyes were shining brightly, and Xu Jiuzhao chuckled lightly at his excited childlike appearance.

When the two of them were talking, the auction price was still rising staggeredly, and the auctioneer's already excited voice changed.

"1 million." A man from the Middle East wearing an Arab headscarf raised his sign indifferently.

"1 million." The middle-aged man with a thick Russian accent raised his sign in a rough voice.

"1 million." As soon as the two of them finished speaking, an old man with the unique vicissitudes of the elderly raised the sign in his hand.

Xu Jiuzhao was turning his head to search, trying to remember the faces of these local tyrants, he poked Jiang Xin in surprise: "Look at that old man, doesn't he look familiar?"

It's rare for him to feel familiar with a person, he must be someone who has met before.Jiang Xin looked back, and said helplessly, "Isn't that the curator of the Louvre Museum, Timothy Garnett? Let's just look at his website." There is really no cure for this face blindness!

"It turned out to be him." Xu Jiuzhao was surprised, "But, didn't the old director tell us that these museums are all here for soy sauce?"

Jiang Xin was also confused, obviously the facts were exactly as the old dean said, but at the beginning, the major museums raised their placards, and they all gave up after 5000 million, just to watch the fierce fighting of the local tyrants.Unexpectedly, the old man would kill him at the last moment.

Not only the two of them were surprised, but even the other buyers who were waiting to get the money were also surprised to see Timothy Garnett, who was indifferent and didn't know what he was thinking.