By Li Jing

Breaking Through the Ice , unveiled at the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA) last weekend, is a new session of Qiu Zhijie's Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge Project. Unlike the previous two sessions, this exhibition comprises a giant installation, including a huge sinking ship. The installation is made up of about 30 separate artworks, including ink paintings, sculptures and other installations.

Like its predecessors, this session of the Project looks at the suicides that happen on the Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge . Qiu said suicide is a part of life, which is what concerns Chinese philosophy. Reflecting on suicide is a way to reflect on life and the surrounding world, he said. Death has been one of Qiu's first subjects, in works such as gravestones.

Qiu's output is based on fieldwork and documentary research. I don't believe in inspiration, he said. In fact, masters never rely on inspiration. For example, Yao Ming's performance never depends on inspiration. Neither does a professional artist. When Qiu started the project, he looked through historical documents and photographs, and spoke with people who contemplated suicide from the bridge. His inquiry is considered one of the largest artistic-cum-sociological experiment in the Chinese art world.

Sociological research is a bridge between society and art, which ensures that art is neither removed from the concerns of society nor a tool of politics, Qiu said. Furthermore, he said, Fieldwork cultivates new ideas and avoids prejudice ... While out on field, I always ask myself to complete sentences in the pattern of I thought but I found '

Qiu's mode of expression encompasses photography, video, calligraphy, painting, installations and performance art. He said every form of creating is a kind of training and reflecting on oneself.

He imbues contemporary art with a deep-rooted traditional spirituality, resulting in an integration of the spirit of Chinese literati and the avant-garde.

Breaking through the Ice C Qiu Zhijie Solo Exhibition

Where: UCCA, 2 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District

When: Until May 15, daily except Monday, 10 am C 7 pm

Admission: 15 yuan

Tel: 8459 9269