The ‘unthought’ of gaze: an investigation through Su Shi, Liubai and art practice

ABSTRACT

The gaze contributes to a way of seeing in the exploration of visual art. However, this visual logic often remains within the subjective ‘fold’, neglecting the ‘unthought’ arising from the interaction between the observer and subject, and leading to a certain closure. My research investigates Su Shi's bamboo theory and the interpretation of liubai space in Chinese landscape painting. I aim to uncover the ‘logic of immanence’ that extends the concept of gaze beyond the physical. I achieve this by proposing that vision no longer holds precedence; instead, it is internalized as a motivating factor influencing an artist's movements and behaviors. This perspective sparks a consideration of the ‘unthought’ aspect of the gaze within art practice.

KEYWORDS:

• Art Practice
• Gaze
• François Jullien
• liubai
• Su Shi
• unthought

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Wenke Sun

Wenke Sun is a visual artist, curator, and intercultural researcher. He is a lecturer at Wenzhou University, Zhejiang province. He completed his Ph.D. research at the Winchester School of Art, the University of Southampton, focusing on an investigative art project titled ‘Inhabiting Liubai: An Investigation through Art Practice’. His doctoral research centers on a contemporary mixed-media practice, exploring the ‘space’ of liubai, as derived from traditional Chinese landscape painting techniques.