4Gentlemen - Three Wise Monkeys: ‘hear no evil, see no evil, and speak no evil’

4Gentlemen - Three Wise Monkeys: ‘hear no evil, see no evil, and speak no evil’
  • Title: 4Gentlemen - Three Wise Monkeys: ‘hear no evil, see no evil, and speak no evil’
  • Dimensions: 42in by 32in
  • Materials: digital print on paper
  • Primary Medium: paper
  • Year Created: 2011
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Artwork Description


Portraying Chinese dissent artist Ai Weiwei squatting in front of collapsed elementary school after Sichuan Earthquake, the work ironically refers to principles of Three Wise Monkeys: ‘hear no evil, see no evil, and speak no evil,’ that arguably originates from Analects of Confucius: "Look not at what is contrary to propriety; listen not to what is contrary to propriety; speak not what is contrary to propriety; make no movement which is contrary to propriety" (非禮勿視，非禮勿聽，非禮勿言非禮勿動). Instead of reviving its original teaching of moral value, the authorities adopt Confucianism in order to constrain freedom of speech in China and beyond in the 21st century. – by 4gentlemen

4Gentlemen/Lily & Honglei; John Craig Freeman

4Gentlemen/Lily & Honglei; John Craig Freeman

Lily & Honglei (Xiying Yang, Honglei Li) work as a new media artist collective. Both from Beijing, China, they are currently based in New York. Their projects utilize traditional painting techniques and digital imaging technologies including animation, virtual reality and augmented reality (collaborating with Boston based new media artist John Craig Freeman), to construct an in-between space reflecting Chinese cultural heritages and current social issues in context of global era. Lily & Honglei exhibit artworks internationally. Their solo exhibitions are held in Germany, China, Australia, United States and Mexico. Their recently group exhibitions include, "From Jamaica to China, A New Evolution" at the Painting Center in New York, "Augmented Reality Intervention at the 54th Venice Biennale," "Manifest.AR" at Institute of Contemporary Art Boston, "Jamaica Flux ’10" at Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning in New York, "Moving Paper - cut paper animation festival" at Museum of Art and Design in New York, "Fluid New Media Art Festival" at Queens Museum of Art in New York, "New Ink Painting Generation" exhibition in Shanghai University, "Performing in Second Life" at Eyebeam Art & Technology Center in New York, Boston CyberArts Festival, among many others. Lily & Honglei both studied fine arts in China and continued their education in art in the States. Lily Xiying Yang received Master of Fine Arts degree in Digital Media from College of Visual and Performing Arts at University of Massachusetts, while Honglei Li earned his MFA degree in Painting from the same school. Their work is viewable at www.lilyhonglei.com, www.lilyhonglei.wordpress.com. Lily & Honglei can be reached at chinacyberart@yahoo.com

Website: fourgentlemen.blogspot.com/2011/10/three-wise-monkeys-see-no-evil-speack.html

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