Compton Verney is always a delight to visit and the latest witty exhibition is no exception. The young and talented Chinese photographer Kurt Tong’s show is called In Case it Rains in Heaven. And in case you are in any doubt, the first picture is of two umbrellas. His cleverly lit, highly coloured photographs have a 3D effect and the plate of sushi looks so appetising. But, like the umbrellas, they are fakes. Even the tray of mobile phones with charger is made of paper. So what is this all about? It is part of a ritual that many Chinese, even those who are doubters, are tempted to practise, that descendants should provide for their ancestors in the afterlife. The practice has its origins in Neolithic times, but over the centuries, bronze and terracotta replicas replaced real goods to be replaced in turn by gold and silver and paper money. Kurt’s exhibition introduces us to modern trends in the practice. What would you want in the afterlife? Your Louis Vuitton handbag, your false teeth or your motorbike? Paper replicas are made of all of them and of credit cards and joss paper money and then are ritually burned. A video shows Kurt doing just that with the items he has photographed.
His photographs are all mounted on black and the aesthetic effect is striking. Compton Verney has one of the greatest collections of Chinese bronzes in Europe and has cleverly used some of them in this show. The incense burners and wine vessels tell the older story.
Even the ruling communist dynasty has tolerated this practice but it is more extravagantly followed in the south. There are fascinating photographs of shops in Hong Kong that, to the untrained eye, look like variety goods shop but are actually selling these replica funeral objects. But, in the more sombre north, they are usually only sold close to cemeteries. There are now even burial websites where you can select digital items for online burning. Kurt says he wanted to capture this tradition in this moment as practices change so quickly. This show is on until December 12. The artist himself will be there on Saturday at 2.30pm to discuss the work in the exhibition in relation to Chinese culture. Compton Verney has a fine permanent collection, an award-winning café and is set in grounds designed by Capability Brown. For details, directions, and admission charges go to www.compton verney.org.uk or telephone 01926 645500.
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