Shocks
#art #donnnaaallldddjjjttrrruummmppp #honngggkkoonngg #polllliiiccee #protesstttss #ronanfarrroooww #harveyyweiiinnsttteeeiiinnn #etcetterraaa #evveerryytthhiinnggg #evveerrybbooddyy #evvveerryyywhherree #evveerytimmeesppatacceecoonntiinnnuuummm #chhannyyyiinnllammm #??????? #metttttoooooo #qirouyang #kiyo #crimes #bullies #bully #wechat #blog #lovenotes #stop #stopbullying #donaldjtrump #him #he #strangers #jackschlossberg #money #getmarried #justintrudeau #anybody #actresses #classmates #friends #infinityyyyyy #warssss #athennnneee #lordddddd #smillllleeee #wedddiiinnngggg #dictionnnarrryyy #futurecinemaaaaa ##meangirlsssss #perfectbluuuuuuueeeee #jjjjwzxxxccc #harrryyypootteeerrr #fanficcctiioonnn #yaoooiiiiiii #softbbbaannkkk #2000000billllliiioonnnndollarrrssss #japppaaaannnn #americccaaaa #dracoharry #drarrrryyyy #friends #enemies #friendships #fantasy #thenewyorktimes #putlizerprizes #interns #internshipssss #crimes #antifa #unicornriots #401kkkkkkkk
#woooorrrkksss #jobbbbsssss #theeennneewwyyoorrkkttimmeesss #reporterssss #internssss #internshipsssss #cmagazine #review #venezuela #israel #palestine #china #hongkong #submit #features #france #nice #samuelpaty #submissions #nyc #restaurants #wikipedia #binchen #chenshangwen #nyc #writings #restaurants #skyting #studio #devils #criticism #fanfiction #yulingchen #buffythevampireslayer #gettingpublished #esse #cornelia #arrrrtttt
???????? #??????
Shocks
C magazine review/writing sample
Yuling Chen
2026 May 2nd
The exhibition, bones in the canal … , by torbjorn rodland, at David kordansky suggests a path not treaded, or traveled. The race issue at the heart of exhibition has been magnetized by the various faces of the characters displaying emotions rare and raw. Can a black person from Africa produce these types of photography? It challenged the viewers through a series of playing with words, vehicle, baby, virgins, Virgin Mary, penise. It criticizes the Israel Palestine warfare, conflicts and wars. It makes use of the garbage/trash narratives in the urban spaces, on the web and everywhere using these profane imagery producing unceased shocks. The focus on dancers’ bodies have made people more aware of the urban movements and environment. Etc.
Visiting an exhibition like Torbjorn Rodland's 'Bones in the Canal' offers a deeply personal experience that stays with you long after you leave. The way Rodland uses provocative imagery — touching on themes like race, religion, and political conflict — pushes visitors to reconsider their own perspectives on these complex issues. One striking aspect of the exhibition is how it confronts viewers with challenging questions about identity and representation. For example, the question of whether a black person from Africa could produce such nuanced and raw photography compels us to unpack our assumptions about artists' backgrounds and creative expression. Rodland's use of urban motifs, including garbage and trash narratives, highlights how our environments reflect broader societal conflicts and cultural tensions. This approach reminded me of how art can serve as a mirror to urban life’s chaos and beauty simultaneously. Moreover, the focus on dancers' bodies brought attention to movement and physical expression as a form of storytelling. Observing these images allowed me to sense the fluidity and conflict inherent in urban spaces — a theme that feels very current in many cities grappling with social issues. The exhibition also provocatively touches on the Israel-Palestine conflict, bringing a global political conversation into the gallery space with a raw honesty rarely seen in art. It underscores how art can critique and illuminate ongoing conflicts that dominate news cycles but are often abstract to distant audiences. Engaging with Rodland’s work reminded me how vital it is for art to challenge comfort zones and provoke dialogue. It's not always easy to confront the discomfort that such art creates, but it fosters empathy and deeper understanding. If you have the opportunity to explore exhibitions like this, I encourage you to engage actively with the themes and questions they pose. They not only enrich your appreciation of art but also expand your awareness of the world’s social and political complexities.
