Lee Mingwei : Li, Gifts and Rituals

Lee Mingwei’s artistic practice is primarily concerned with rituals of giving and receiving. His solo exhibition presented at Gropius Bau in Berlin, showcases his installations and performances from the last three decades: central to the exhibition is an exploration of art’s potential to be a transformative gift. In Lee Mingwei’s works immaterial gifts such as song, conversation or contemplation are given and received. For many of his projects the starting point are his personal encounters, which are then transformed into installations. Seeing such experiences as moments in which time is gifted, Lee’s projects reveal a fascination for the role of the host. Accordingly, in autumn 2019, the artist put out open calls looking for Berlin-based hosts to activate several of his projects. In The Living Room hosts are invited to exhibit their unique collections and in The Mending Project the menders host conversations with visitors whilst repairing their damaged items of clothing. These processes create a common space where viewers are given the opportunity to enter into exchange, and rituals of care and healing begin to unfold.