{"status":true,"msg":{"data":{"id":50179,"auction_id":99,"set_id":131,"lot_number":"90","artist":"Lao Lianben (b. 1948)","title":"Temporary Exit From Reality","starting_price":7000000,"signed_dated":"signed (lower left and verso) and dated 2008 (verso)","medium":"acrylic, pencil, and modeling paste on canvas","size":"55 1/2\" x 82\" (141 cm x 208 cm)","property":null,"coa":null,"provenance":"Leon Gallery, The Magnificent September Auction, Makati City, 10, September 2016, Lot 38","exhibited":null,"literature":null,"write_up":"The 13th-century Japanese Zen Buddhist philosopher and teacher Do?gen once said: \"Do not follow the ideas of others but learn to listen to the voice within yourself. Your body and mind will become clear, and you will realize the unity of all things.\" This principle is enshrined in Lao's artistic practice, particularly in this work, Temporary Exit from Reality.
This piece exemplifies Lao's creative exercise on enigmatic solitude, one borne out of imbibing the spirit of Zen within oneself. For Lao, painting is a spiritual practice. In this work, Lao depicts an abstract figure of a man in repose. A circle, a recurring motif in Lao's works, can be seen directly above the man's head. It represents the enso?, which translates to 'circle' and symbolizes enlightenment, totality, and nothingness in Zen Buddhism. Lao \"departs\" from the world's tormented reality to encounter his inner conflicts. Thus, we see the artist in actual deep contemplation.
The composition of this work evokes a sublime visual poetry manifesting the relationship between silence and meditation. Lao's depiction of a closed circle represents infinity, the never-ending contradictions in life, and the endless cycle of folding and unfolding. Through his praxis of meditational quietude, Lao engenders a melodious concordance among the \"voices\" inside him—ideas and actualities; needs and desires; emotions and intellect—to attain the fullness of \"being and becoming.\"
The closed circle also represents a \"portal\" into enlightenment, the balance and harmony of all things. In Zen aesthetics, a closed circle symbolizes sublime meditation. Integrated into Lao's trademark white composition, the artist evokes a state in which the mind,body, and spirit temporarily detach themselves from the often-painful predicaments of reality and enter a state of lulling silence, a path toward spiritual awakening and renewal. Dogen says: \"Meditation... is peace itself... the actualization of wisdom, the ultimate truth of the oneness of all things.\" Through this piece, Lao emboldens us to temporarily exit from reality to recuperate and regain strength to face life's infinite conflicts. In this process, meditation becomes a transformative action.
Lao's sublime works transcend the limitations of the senses. The beauty of this piece lies in its capacity to convey myriad expressions, words, and images through a tranquil silence. The painting reminds us of the universality of contradictions—the conflicting voices inside us. But solemnly engrossing ourselves in reflection to fully embrace those contradictions as an inherent part of our existence enkindle harmony, completeness, and continuity amid life's never-ending vicissitudes. We must live with contradictions to overcome all contradictions. Hence, we are invited to revel in the intimacy of our innermost being. Do?gen further teaches us: \"To start from the self and try to understand all things is a delusion. To let the self be awakened by all things is enlightenment.\" (A.M.)","lot_group":"PAINTING","lot_details_html":"
Lao Lianben (b. 1948) Temporary Exit From Reality signed (lower left and verso) and dated 2008 (verso) acrylic, pencil, and modeling paste on canvas 55 1/2\" x 82\" (141 cm x 208 cm)