LAURENT MARTIN LO

‘One Bamboo Show’ is a comprehensive exhibition, in which the artist ambitiously narrates about our planet, the influence of man, and the results of our actions on ecological systems. As bamboo existed on earth before humans did, with a history of more than 40 million years old and usage by man since 5000 BC, it will most probably exist longer after our disappearance as well. The exhibition takes us through the stages of human life and asks us the uncomfortable question of where we are heading.

Departing from the masterpiece “Bamboo Skyline” the first work is the ovum, the womb, the origin, also to be read as a ringed planet, in constant movement, an intriguing composition of interdependent spaces. From there smaller pieces that canbe considered cosmic constellations lead us to the eye, the apparition of mankind on the scene. It is there that hunting and fishing for survival start reflected in allusions to the bow and arrow as well as the fishing rod, essential tools throughout history, and intrinsically connected to the application of bamboo.

The exhibition culminates in the appearance of a Phoenix, the firebird that appears after transforming to ashes, a symbol of immortality, resurrection, and life after death. With this icon, Laurent Martin “Lo” touches on the resilience of bamboo, the thought of eternity, and the premise that this material will always resurrect, no matter how much damage we do to our surroundings. Bamboo is thought of as the ecological answer, the regenerative plant of our world, a self-regenerating renewable raw material. Just like the Phoenix, it rises again, in the ever-perpetuating balance of life.