We Apologize to Inform You — Zhujiajiao

We Apologize to Inform You — Zhujiajiao was presented by Xiao Ke × Zi Han in 2013 at a traditional opera theatre in Shang Du Li, Zhujiajiao Old Town, Shanghai. The work has two parts, expected to last eight hours or longer, and audiences are welcome to enter and participate at any time.

Part 1: Sleeping Lunch, 9:00 am–2:00 pm, is a live action and installation. The theatre floor is covered with a large white fabric inscribed with Xiao Ke and Zi Han’s everyday dialogues about life, artistic practice, living conditions, and growing up. Half an hour before the opening, the artists take sleeping pills and lie on the fabric. Before sleeping they arrange dinner and wine at two round tables for ten people each. Ten invited guests and ten participants booked online join the meal at noon, while the artists sleep beside them. A camera records the event; the tables are removed at 2:00 pm.

Part 2: Misrepresentation, 2:00–5:00 pm, is a live dance-and-painting performance. Waking from sleep, Xiao Ke and Zi Han work on the fabric carrying their dialogues: Xiao Ke paints with ink through bodily action, while Zi Han writes again and again. The performance follows their actual physical condition and ends when Xiao Ke has exhausted the energy to continue dancing. Writing, painting, and physical action form a process of recovery and misrepresentation.