Abbotabad

As part of the Contemporary Art Trail of Marseille Provence 2013, the courtyard of the Hôtel de Gallifet will host artist Huang Yong Ping’s ‘Abbottabad.’ This work is the continuation of ‘Colosseum’ and ‘Pentagon’ (2007), which depicted these famous buildings in terracotta, showing them being gradually invaded by vegetation. Grass and weeds are planted inside the structure. In the words of Ping: "Nature does not intend to engage with the history of mankind. Grass makes its own way, it grows where it can. Perhaps it will win, take over everything."
With this series Ping highlights the farcical aspect of human history and the incessant flow of information, here reduced to a large flower pot. The work also illustrates the power of nature and chance over civilization and planning.