Lee Mingwei: Li, Gifts and Rituals

Lee Mingwei’s artistic practice is
primarily concerned with rituals of giving and receiving. His solo
exhibition presented at Gropius Bau in Berlin, showcases his
installations and performances from the last three decades: central to
the exhibition is an exploration of art’s potential to be a
transformative gift. In Lee Mingwei’s works immaterial gifts such as
song, conversation or contemplation are given and received. For many of
his projects the starting point is his personal encounters, which are
then transformed into installations. Seeing such experiences as moments
in which time is gifted, Lee’s projects reveal a fascination for the
role of the host.

Accordingly, in autumn 2019, the artist put out
open calls looking for Berlin-based hosts to participate in several of
his projects. In The Living Room hosts are invited to exhibit their unique collections and in The Mending Project
the menders host conversations with visitors whilst repairing their
damaged items of clothing. These processes create a common space where
viewers are given the opportunity to enter into and exchange, and where
rituals of care and healing begin to unfold.