Open Eye Gallery and XUZHEN® (initiated by international artist Xu Zhen, Shanghai) invite you to take part in the first cultural fitness exercise ever made. Involving elements of dance, gymnastics, spiritual and cultural rituals, the series of exercises is composed of hundreds of steps and moves inspired from ceremonies, worships and traditions accumulated through the History of Humanity.
Physique of Consciousness combines physical and spiritual virtues, enhancing body conditions and well-being. It consists of ten exercises, as ten chapters, with a progression of levels from easy to hard. The whole set of exercise lasts for thirty minutes. Movements are flowing, peaceful and aesthetic, accompanied by a relaxing music.
Presented by Open Eye Gallery, this project is part of the Liverpool China Dream phase two, This Is Shanghai, which is curated by Jiang Jiehong, curator and professor from Birmingham City University. Envisaging the similarities between the two cities, the city-wide project invites artistic reflections on the urban evolution and transformation in the context of globalisation, explores Chinese contemporary arts and culture, and extends, translates, and re-imagines Shanghai’s everyday reality in Liverpool. This project will initially take place at Tate Exchange Liverpool and move to public realm across the city during the exhibition of This Is Shanghai.
This fitness exercise is open to everyone of all ages, it has various benefits such as maintaining a healthy physical condition, strengthening muscles, joint mobility, and improving the immune system. It can also bring peace of mind, by relieving stress and providing a feeling of wellness.