Li Yang: Hitchcock and Contemporary Art | Lecture Report

Artist Leandro Erlich’s solo exhibition took place in CAFA Art Museum in July and August. While Erlich himself states that his art practice draws great inspiration Alfred Hitchcock, CAFAM invited Peking University professor Li Yang to give a lecture about Hitchcock and contemporary art.

https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1568965044521589.jpg

Prof. Li began the lecture by profiling Hitchcock’s special characters: self-centered, having everything in control on site; exceptionally smart, so smart that he knew when to keep appropriate distance with the audience and when to create suspense; perhaps a bit mentally unhealthy, as his many films feature mentally ill male characters or female characters threatened by male; and he was a super foodie.

It is well known that Hitchcock is a master of suspense. In his heydays during 1950s and 60s, he created classics such as Rear Window (1954), Vertigo (1958), Psycho (1960) and The Birds (1963). However, Hitchcock was more than a best seller director or a Hollywood legend, he was also a master in art. He was very familiar with Dadaism, Surrealism and Expressionism movements in 1920s, and integrated some representative artists’ work in his movies. For example, in a famous hypnotizing scene in Spellbound (1945), Hitchcock invited Dali to design the dream scenes.

https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1568965154173821.jpg

Spellbound (1945) Alfred Hitchcock

He was also greatly influenced by Edward Hopper - one can easily spot Hopper in Rear Window and Psycho.

https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1568965188337246.jpg

Edward Hopper’s Paintings and Rear Window (1954) 

 https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1568965206806516.jpg

Night Windows (1928) Edward Hopper

https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1568965220541216.jpg

Rear Window (1954)

https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1568965253430881.jpg

House by Railroad (1925) Edward Hopper    Psycho (1960) Alfred Hitchcock        

Hitchcock was also very familiar with classic art, and applied themes and elements of classic art in his movies - for example, a scene in Topaz (1969) borrowed the visual of Michelangelo’s The Pieta.

https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1568965299554731.jpg

The Pieta, Michelangelo

https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1568965313464761.jpg

Topaz (1969) Alfred Hitchcock

What makes Hitchcock classic, as Prof. Li finds, is his achievements in the revolution of the American movie industry, together with Orson Welles and Stanley Kubrick. Different from French New Wave or New German Cinema, the maturity of American movie industry requires change from inside, and these three established directors respectively revolutionized film noir (Welles), suspense and thrillers (Hitchcock) and almost any genre of Hollywood movies (Kubrick).

Hitchcock is regarded as a suspense artist worldwide. He has inspired numerous artists since his time. Prof. Li organized Hitchcock-inspired artwork into five categories: 

1) Artwork that worships Hitchcock, for instance British artist Victor Burgin’s The Bridge (1984), and multimedia artist Johan Grimonprez’s Looking for Alfred (2009); 

https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1568965380844917.jpg 

https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1568965389303433.jpg

Vertigo (1958)  Alfred Hitchcock

 https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1568965431717080.jpg

https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1568965440930094.jpg 

The Bridge (1984)  Victor Burgin


1568965684649402.jpg

Johan Grimonprez (1962 - ) multimedia artist

 https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1568965710306133.jpg

Looking for Alfred (2009) short film, 5:30


2) Re-creation of Hitchcock movies’ plots, characters, scenes, etc. Examples are Stan Douglas’s Subject to a Film: Marnie (1995) and Pierre Huyghe’s Remake (1995). Gus van Sant has also remade Psycho in a very creative fashion (Psycho, 1998); 

1568965762438020.jpg

Stan Douglas (1960-) artist

https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1568965786764383.jpg 
Marnie (1963)
https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1568965793494234.jpg 
Subject to a Film: Marnie (1995)


1568965863280425.jpg

Pierre Huyghe (1962 - ) artist

https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1568965908223940.jpg

Remake (1995)film


https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1568965918374927.jpg 
Psycho (1960) Alfred Hitchcock
https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1568965926377608.jpg 
Psycho (1998) Gus Van Sant


3) Artwork that appropriates Hitchcock movies, especially manifest in video art. Examples include conceptual artist David Reed’s bedroom series, Les LeVeque’s video art, Christoph Girardet and Christian Marclay’s innovative mixed shears of Hitchcock movies, and Hendriks Martijn’s Give Us Today our Daily Terror (2008) video, in which the artist exerted great effort to remove all the birds in the frames that Hitchcock spent a big amount of money to add; 

1568965964949189.jpg

David Reed (1948 - ) conceptual artist

https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1568966000498851.jpg

Judy’s Bedroom (1992) David Reed

https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1569549468918724.jpg 
Scottie’s Bedroom (1993) David Reed

https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1569549553157039.jpg 
Les LeVeque (1952-) artist
https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1569549589116991.jpg

2 Spellbound (1999)short film, 7’30’’
https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1569549620218304.jpg

4 Vertigo (2000)short film, 9’

https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1569549683239812.jpg

Matthias Müller (1961-) video artist, curator
https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1569549696191536.jpg

Christoph Girardet (1966-) film director
https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1569549708783616.jpg

The Phoenix Tapes (199) mashup short film


https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1569549862897666.jpg

Hendriks Martijn (1973-) artist
https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1569549901800312.jpg

Give Us Today our Daily Terror (2008) video

4) Artwork that forms a kind of co-creation with Hitchcock movies, always in the form of installation, such as Erlich’s work, and French artist Laurent Fiévet’s work Lovely Memories, and Douglas Gordon’s work 24 Hour Psycho (1993); 

https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1569550041504045.jpg

Laurent Fiévet (1969-) artist
https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1569550075537720.jpg

Lovely Memories (2007) installation

https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1569550140253986.jpg

Frenzy (1972) Alfred Hitchcock

https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1569550196959821.jpg

Douglas Gordon (1966-) artist
https://static.cafamuseum.org/museum-image/image/201909/sy_1569550218194088.jpg 
24 Hour Psycho (1993), Douglas Gordon

5) artwork that criticizes Hitchcock movies, as some people denounce him as a misogygist.

In the end, Prof. Li spoke about the common characters Erlich’s works share with Hitchcock movies upon answering an audience’s question: humor reflected in the interactions with the audience, for example Hitchcock loved playing the floating body in his movie trailers; and their strong interest in illusions.


Lecturer: Li Yang, professor at Peking University, scholar in European film and western contemporary art

Presenter: Zhang Zikang, director of CAFA Art Museum

Time: 2019.08.10 (Sat) 14:00

Venue: CAFAM Lecture Hall


Child Public Education Reservation Form

I agree to the Group Visit Agreement and Statement Please agree to the Group Visit Agreement.
Submit

Adult Public Education Event Reservation Form

I agree to the Group Visit Agreement and Statement Please agree to the Group Visit Agreement.
Sumbit

Group Public Education Event Reservation Form

I agree to the Group Visit Agreement and Statement Please agree to the Group Visit Agreement.
Submit

Group Visit Agreement
and Statement

CAFA Art Museum Publication Authorization Agreement

I fully agree to CAFA Art Museum (CAFAM) submitting to CAFA for publication the images, pictures, texts, writings, and event products (such as works created during participation in workshops) related to me from my participation in public events (including museum member events) organized by the CAFA Art Museum Public Education Department. CAFA can publish these materials by electronic, web, or other digital means, and I hereby agree to be included in the China Knowledge Resource Bank, the CAFA Database, the CAFA Art Museum Database, and related data, documentation, and filing institutions and platforms. Regarding their use in CAFA and dissemination on the internet, I agree to make use of these rights according to the stated Rules.

CAFA Art Museum Event Safety Disclaimer

Article I

This event was organized on the principles of fairness, impartiality, and voluntary participation and withdrawal. Participants undertake all risk and liability for themselves. All events have risks, and participants must be aware of the risks related to their chosen event.

Article II

Event participants must abide by the laws and regulations of the People’s Republic of China, as well as moral and ethical norms. All participants must demonstrate good character, respect for others, friendship, and a willingness to help others.

Article III

Event participants should be adults (people 18 years or older with full civil legal capacity). Underage persons must be accompanied by an adult.

Article IV

Event participants undertake all liability for their personal safety during the event, and event participants are encouraged to purchase personal safety insurance. Should an accident occur during an event, persons not involved in the accident and the museum do not undertake any liability for the accident, but both have the obligation to provide assistance. Event participants should actively organize and implement rescue efforts, but do not undertake any legal or economic liability for the accident itself. The museum does not undertake civil or joint liability for the personal safety of event participants.

Article V

During the event, event participants should respect the order of the museum event and ensure the safety of the museum site, the artworks in displays, exhibitions, and collections, and the derived products. If an event causes any degree of loss or damage to the museum site, space, artworks, or derived products due to an individual, persons not involved in the accident and the museum do not undertake any liability for losses. The event participant must negotiate and provide compensation according to the relevant legal statutes and museum rules. The museum may sue for legal and financial liability.

Article VI

Event participants will participate in the event under the guidance of museum staff and event leaders or instructors and must correctly use the painting tools, materials, equipment, and/or facilities provided for the event. If a participant causes injury or harm to him/herself or others while using the painting tools, materials, equipment, and/or facilities, or causes the damage or destruction of the tools, materials, equipment, and/or facilities, the event participant must undertake all related liability and provide compensation for the financial losses. Persons not involved in the accident and the museum do not undertake any liability for personal accidents.

CAFA Art Museum Portraiture Rights Licensing Agreement

According to The Advertising Law of the People’s Republic of China, The General Principles of the Civil Law of the People’s Republic of China, and The Provisional Opinions of the Supreme People’s Court on Some Issues Related to the Full Implementation of the General Principles of the Civil Law of the People’s Republic of China, and upon friendly negotiation, Party A and Party B have arrived at the following agreement regarding the use of works bearing Party A’s image in order to clarify the rights and obligations of the portrait licenser (Party A) and the user (Party B):

I. General Provisions

(1) Party A is the portraiture rights holder in this agreement. Party A voluntarily licenses its portraiture rights to Party B for the purposes stipulated in this agreement and permitted by law.

(2) Party B (CAFA Art Museum) is a specialized, international modern art museum. CAFA Art Museum keeps pace with the times, and works to create an open, free, and academic space and atmosphere for positive interaction with groups, corporations, institutions, artists, and visitors. With CAFA’s academic research as a foundation, the museum plans multi-disciplinary exhibitions, conferences, and public education events with participants from around the world, providing a platform for exchange, learning, and exhibition for CAFA’s students and instructors, artists from around the world, and the general public. As a public institution, the primary purposes of CAFA Art Museum’s public education events are academic and beneficial to society.

(3) Party B will photograph all CAFA Public Education Department events for Party A.

II. Content, Forms of Use, and Geographical Scope of Use

(1) Content. The content of images taken by Party B bearing Party A’s likeness include: ① CAFA Art Museum ② CAFA campus ③ All events planned or executed by the CAFAM Public Education Department.

(2) Forms of Use. For use in CAFA’s publications, products with CDs, and promotional materials.

(3) Geographical Scope of Use

The applicable geographic scope is global.

The media in which the portraiture may be used encompasses any media that does not infringe upon Party A’s portraiture rights (e.g., magazines and the internet).

III. Term of Portraiture Rights Use

Use in perpetuity.

IV. Licensing Fees

The fees for images bearing Party A’s likeness will be undertaken by Party B.

After completion, Party B does not need to pay any fees to Party A for images bearing Party A’s likeness.

Additional Terms

(1) All matters not discussed in this agreement shall be resolved through friendly negotiation between both parties. Both parties may then sign a supplementary agreement, provided it does not violate any laws or regulations.

(2) This agreement comes into effect on the date that it is signed (sealed) and the relevant boxes are selected by Party A and Party B.

(3) This agreement exists in paper and electronic forms. The paper form is made in duplicate, with Party A and Party B each retaining one copy with the same legal efficacy.

Event participants implicitly accept and undertake all the obligations stated in this agreement. Those who do not consent will be seen as abandoning the right to participate in this event. Before participating in this event, please speak to your family members to obtain their consent and inform them of this disclaimer. After participants sign/check the required box, participants and their families will be seen as having read and agreed to these terms.

I have carefully read and agree to the above provisions.

Group Visit Agreement
and Statement

CAFA Art Museum Publication Authorization Agreement

I fully agree to CAFA Art Museum (CAFAM) submitting to CAFA for publication the images, pictures, texts, writings, and event products (such as works created during participation in workshops) related to me from my participation in public events (including museum member events) organized by the CAFA Art Museum Public Education Department. CAFA can publish these materials by electronic, web, or other digital means, and I hereby agree to be included in the China Knowledge Resource Bank, the CAFA Database, the CAFA Art Museum Database, and related data, documentation, and filing institutions and platforms. Regarding their use in CAFA and dissemination on the internet, I agree to make use of these rights according to the stated Rules.

CAFA Art Museum Event Safety Disclaimer

Article I

This event was organized on the principles of fairness, impartiality, and voluntary participation and withdrawal. Participants undertake all risk and liability for themselves. All events have risks, and participants must be aware of the risks related to their chosen event.

Article II

Event participants must abide by the laws and regulations of the People’s Republic of China, as well as moral and ethical norms. All participants must demonstrate good character, respect for others, friendship, and a willingness to help others.

Article III

Event participants should be adults (people 18 years or older with full civil legal capacity). Underage persons must be accompanied by an adult.

Article IV

Event participants undertake all liability for their personal safety during the event, and event participants are encouraged to purchase personal safety insurance. Should an accident occur during an event, persons not involved in the accident and the museum do not undertake any liability for the accident, but both have the obligation to provide assistance. Event participants should actively organize and implement rescue efforts, but do not undertake any legal or economic liability for the accident itself. The museum does not undertake civil or joint liability for the personal safety of event participants.

Article V

During the event, event participants should respect the order of the museum event and ensure the safety of the museum site, the artworks in displays, exhibitions, and collections, and the derived products. If an event causes any degree of loss or damage to the museum site, space, artworks, or derived products due to an individual, persons not involved in the accident and the museum do not undertake any liability for losses. The event participant must negotiate and provide compensation according to the relevant legal statutes and museum rules. The museum may sue for legal and financial liability.

Article VI

Event participants will participate in the event under the guidance of museum staff and event leaders or instructors and must correctly use the painting tools, materials, equipment, and/or facilities provided for the event. If a participant causes injury or harm to him/herself or others while using the painting tools, materials, equipment, and/or facilities, or causes the damage or destruction of the tools, materials, equipment, and/or facilities, the event participant must undertake all related liability and provide compensation for the financial losses. Persons not involved in the accident and the museum do not undertake any liability for personal accidents.

CAFA Art Museum Portraiture Rights Licensing Agreement

According to The Advertising Law of the People’s Republic of China, The General Principles of the Civil Law of the People’s Republic of China, and The Provisional Opinions of the Supreme People’s Court on Some Issues Related to the Full Implementation of the General Principles of the Civil Law of the People’s Republic of China, and upon friendly negotiation, Party A and Party B have arrived at the following agreement regarding the use of works bearing Party A’s image in order to clarify the rights and obligations of the portrait licenser (Party A) and the user (Party B):

I. General Provisions

(1) Party A is the portraiture rights holder in this agreement. Party A voluntarily licenses its portraiture rights to Party B for the purposes stipulated in this agreement and permitted by law.

(2) Party B (CAFA Art Museum) is a specialized, international modern art museum. CAFA Art Museum keeps pace with the times, and works to create an open, free, and academic space and atmosphere for positive interaction with groups, corporations, institutions, artists, and visitors. With CAFA’s academic research as a foundation, the museum plans multi-disciplinary exhibitions, conferences, and public education events with participants from around the world, providing a platform for exchange, learning, and exhibition for CAFA’s students and instructors, artists from around the world, and the general public. As a public institution, the primary purposes of CAFA Art Museum’s public education events are academic and beneficial to society.

(3) Party B will photograph all CAFA Public Education Department events for Party A.

II. Content, Forms of Use, and Geographical Scope of Use

(1) Content. The content of images taken by Party B bearing Party A’s likeness include: ① CAFA Art Museum ② CAFA campus ③ All events planned or executed by the CAFAM Public Education Department.

(2) Forms of Use. For use in CAFA’s publications, products with CDs, and promotional materials.

(3) Geographical Scope of Use

The applicable geographic scope is global.

The media in which the portraiture may be used encompasses any media that does not infringe upon Party A’s portraiture rights (e.g., magazines and the internet).

III. Term of Portraiture Rights Use

Use in perpetuity.

IV. Licensing Fees

The fees for images bearing Party A’s likeness will be undertaken by Party B.

After completion, Party B does not need to pay any fees to Party A for images bearing Party A’s likeness.

Additional Terms

(1) All matters not discussed in this agreement shall be resolved through friendly negotiation between both parties. Both parties may then sign a supplementary agreement, provided it does not violate any laws or regulations.

(2) This agreement comes into effect on the date that it is signed (sealed) and the relevant boxes are selected by Party A and Party B.

(3) This agreement exists in paper and electronic forms. The paper form is made in duplicate, with Party A and Party B each retaining one copy with the same legal efficacy.

Event participants implicitly accept and undertake all the obligations stated in this agreement. Those who do not consent will be seen as abandoning the right to participate in this event. Before participating in this event, please speak to your family members to obtain their consent and inform them of this disclaimer. After participants sign/check the required box, participants and their families will be seen as having read and agreed to these terms.

I have carefully read and agree to the above provisions.

Group Visit Agreement
and Statement

CAFA Art Museum Publication Authorization Agreement

I fully agree to CAFA Art Museum (CAFAM) submitting to CAFA for publication the images, pictures, texts, writings, and event products (such as works created during participation in workshops) related to me from my participation in public events (including museum member events) organized by the CAFA Art Museum Public Education Department. CAFA can publish these materials by electronic, web, or other digital means, and I hereby agree to be included in the China Knowledge Resource Bank, the CAFA Database, the CAFA Art Museum Database, and related data, documentation, and filing institutions and platforms. Regarding their use in CAFA and dissemination on the internet, I agree to make use of these rights according to the stated Rules.

CAFA Art Museum Event Safety Disclaimer

Article I

This event was organized on the principles of fairness, impartiality, and voluntary participation and withdrawal. Participants undertake all risk and liability for themselves. All events have risks, and participants must be aware of the risks related to their chosen event.

Article II

Event participants must abide by the laws and regulations of the People’s Republic of China, as well as moral and ethical norms. All participants must demonstrate good character, respect for others, friendship, and a willingness to help others.

Article III

Event participants should be adults (people 18 years or older with full civil legal capacity). Underage persons must be accompanied by an adult.

Article IV

Event participants undertake all liability for their personal safety during the event, and event participants are encouraged to purchase personal safety insurance. Should an accident occur during an event, persons not involved in the accident and the museum do not undertake any liability for the accident, but both have the obligation to provide assistance. Event participants should actively organize and implement rescue efforts, but do not undertake any legal or economic liability for the accident itself. The museum does not undertake civil or joint liability for the personal safety of event participants.

Article V

During the event, event participants should respect the order of the museum event and ensure the safety of the museum site, the artworks in displays, exhibitions, and collections, and the derived products. If an event causes any degree of loss or damage to the museum site, space, artworks, or derived products due to an individual, persons not involved in the accident and the museum do not undertake any liability for losses. The event participant must negotiate and provide compensation according to the relevant legal statutes and museum rules. The museum may sue for legal and financial liability.

Article VI

Event participants will participate in the event under the guidance of museum staff and event leaders or instructors and must correctly use the painting tools, materials, equipment, and/or facilities provided for the event. If a participant causes injury or harm to him/herself or others while using the painting tools, materials, equipment, and/or facilities, or causes the damage or destruction of the tools, materials, equipment, and/or facilities, the event participant must undertake all related liability and provide compensation for the financial losses. Persons not involved in the accident and the museum do not undertake any liability for personal accidents.

CAFA Art Museum Portraiture Rights Licensing Agreement

According to The Advertising Law of the People’s Republic of China, The General Principles of the Civil Law of the People’s Republic of China, and The Provisional Opinions of the Supreme People’s Court on Some Issues Related to the Full Implementation of the General Principles of the Civil Law of the People’s Republic of China, and upon friendly negotiation, Party A and Party B have arrived at the following agreement regarding the use of works bearing Party A’s image in order to clarify the rights and obligations of the portrait licenser (Party A) and the user (Party B):

I. General Provisions

(1) Party A is the portraiture rights holder in this agreement. Party A voluntarily licenses its portraiture rights to Party B for the purposes stipulated in this agreement and permitted by law.

(2) Party B (CAFA Art Museum) is a specialized, international modern art museum. CAFA Art Museum keeps pace with the times, and works to create an open, free, and academic space and atmosphere for positive interaction with groups, corporations, institutions, artists, and visitors. With CAFA’s academic research as a foundation, the museum plans multi-disciplinary exhibitions, conferences, and public education events with participants from around the world, providing a platform for exchange, learning, and exhibition for CAFA’s students and instructors, artists from around the world, and the general public. As a public institution, the primary purposes of CAFA Art Museum’s public education events are academic and beneficial to society.

(3) Party B will photograph all CAFA Public Education Department events for Party A.

II. Content, Forms of Use, and Geographical Scope of Use

(1) Content. The content of images taken by Party B bearing Party A’s likeness include: ① CAFA Art Museum ② CAFA campus ③ All events planned or executed by the CAFAM Public Education Department.

(2) Forms of Use. For use in CAFA’s publications, products with CDs, and promotional materials.

(3) Geographical Scope of Use

The applicable geographic scope is global.

The media in which the portraiture may be used encompasses any media that does not infringe upon Party A’s portraiture rights (e.g., magazines and the internet).

III. Term of Portraiture Rights Use

Use in perpetuity.

IV. Licensing Fees

The fees for images bearing Party A’s likeness will be undertaken by Party B.

After completion, Party B does not need to pay any fees to Party A for images bearing Party A’s likeness.

Additional Terms

(1) All matters not discussed in this agreement shall be resolved through friendly negotiation between both parties. Both parties may then sign a supplementary agreement, provided it does not violate any laws or regulations.

(2) This agreement comes into effect on the date that it is signed (sealed) and the relevant boxes are selected by Party A and Party B.

(3) This agreement exists in paper and electronic forms. The paper form is made in duplicate, with Party A and Party B each retaining one copy with the same legal efficacy.

Event participants implicitly accept and undertake all the obligations stated in this agreement. Those who do not consent will be seen as abandoning the right to participate in this event. Before participating in this event, please speak to your family members to obtain their consent and inform them of this disclaimer. After participants sign/check the required box, participants and their families will be seen as having read and agreed to these terms.

I have carefully read and agree to the above provisions.

Event Booking Form

Name:
Gender
Phone:
Valid Certificate: Identity Card
ID Number:
Email:

Reminder:

Hello! Thank you for participating in our public education event and we are looking forward to seeing you! If you cannot attend the event on time, please send a text message to 13261936837 (Liang) to cancel the booking. Please be aware that your eligibility for using the quick booking may be affected If you cancel the booking more than three times. Thank you for your understanding!
Quick loginAccount login
  • Mobile phone number will be your login ID
  •  
Use Artron membership to login