For VISIONAIRE 69, in response to both the international lockdowns and the desire for release, we explore the notion of taking to the streets and yearning for such creative freedom, through the format of the street-art epitome, the Stencil Kit.
To celebrate the release of VISIONAIRE 69 on 12/12 in China, We put the stencils into action in the courtyard of TX in Shanghai. They spray painted the stencils on the stairs and other surfaces to share them with spectators.
VISIONAIRE 69 2020 was conceived as a time-capsule, or retrospective view of 2020—a most challenging year around the world. In response to the difficulties faced this last year, Chen, as curator, reached out to his network of creative contemporaries to create an edition that will highlight images of hope for the future, the deeper meaning behind the lessons we have had to learn, and a distinct optimism as we move forward together. In looking back at what we have come through, we can gain a sense of clarity. After all, hindsight is 2020.
A custom turquoise CLOT silk scarf wraps the hand-numbered, hand-spray painted 2-piece case. Inside the case there is a bespoke can of VISIONAIRE-branded black spray paint, along with a face mask designed by BARBARA KRUGER, alongside 10 negative-stencil “images” by 10 artists. As is a recurring theme within the VISIONAIRE world, the artists are encouraged to work in a form that is outside of their normal practice. Here, the artworks contributed by these artists are transformed into stencils, laser-cut from pure copper sheets. Contributing artists are Nick Knight, Naomi Campbell, Tom Sachs, Dr. Woo, Zeng Fanzhi, Cao Fei, LeBron James, Kelly Beeman, Shayne Oliver, and Edison Chen’s daughter, 3-year old Alaia Chen.
Limited Edition of 500 hand-numbered copies include silk scarf wrapping a stenciled case housing 1 face mask, 1 can of spray paint, and 10 laser-cut copper stencils by 10 artists