Classic Chinese story adapted to warn about environmental crisis

Chinese artist Xu Rui put on a performance in Christie's auction room in London on Monday that adapted a story from a Chinese classic text in order to raise awareness of humanity's looming environmental crisis.

Performers played mythical creatures from "The Classic of Mountains and Seas", the "Shan Hai Jing", at a show at Christie's auction room in London, on Monday, May 13. [Photo: China Plus/Kang Xindong]

The performance was based on "The Classic of Mountains and Seas", the "Shan Hai Jing", which is a collection of myths compiled prior to the Qin Dynasty (221 to 206 B.C.).

Performers played mythical creatures from "The Classic of Mountains and Seas", the "Shan Hai Jing", at a show at Christie's auction room in London, on Monday, May 13. [Photo: China Plus/Kang Xindong]

The performance told the story of seven mythical creatures transported into a modern city from their isolated homes. The greedy deeds of human beings caused them to panic, and they lost their magical powers. Performers wore masks representing the mythical creatures as they walked around the salesroom interacting with the audience.

Performers played mythical creatures from "The Classic of Mountains and Seas", the "Shan Hai Jing", at a show at Christie's auction room in London, on Monday, May 13. [Photo: China Plus/Kang Xindong]

The show aimed to highlight the conflicts between nature and humanity, and the harm people are causing to the environment through pollution and global warming. Xu's message was that, although technological advancement is inevitable, individuals can make their own efforts to remain in harmony with nature.

Xu was born in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. She studied and worked at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, before undertaking further study at the Royal College of Art in London. Xu's work tends to cross the boundaries of different art forms, mixing together fashion, painting, dancing, and music.