Mad For Real

Published by Carrots Press London 2005 in a limited edition of 500 copies ISBN 0955107407 Pages 128 Binding Soft back Illustration 135 colour, 19 b&w illustrations Dimensions 260mm x 210mm This book is a very richly illustrated full-colour catalogue of JJ Xi and Cai Yuan's performance work from 1999 to 2005, with an essay by Dr Katie Hill and an interview by the curator Sally Lai. The photographs are strong images of the work which have never been presented as a body of work before. it features performance such as Cai Yuan and JJ Xi Jumping on Tracey Emin's Bed at Tate Gallery 1999, Monkey King causes havoc in the Heavenly Place at British Museum 2003, and artists recent solo exhibition at Manchester Happy and Glorious as well as the more controversial performances in the Tate and other London public-space and locations. Yuan Cai and JJ Xi make strong use of irony in their performance and photographic work, drawing on seemingly banal subject -matter such as soya sauce and Monkey King to make witty and absurd commentaries through ironic action and posturing. Table of Contents -MADNESS, DUPLICITY AND REALITY By KATIE HILL -IN THE NAME OF ART, SALLY LAI interviews JJ XI AND CAI YUAN -HAPPY AND GLORIOUS -ALIVE, ALIVE-O! -TWO ARTISTS ARREST HOU HANRU -MONKEY KING CAUSES HAVOC IN THE HEAVENLY PALACE -PARADOX -BURNING FIELDS -PENIS SPIRIT -TOURING LONDON -OPEN FIRE -TWO ARTISTS SWIM ACROSS THE THAMES -RUNNING NAKED ACROSS WESTMINSTER BRIDGE WITH TONY BEAR -SOYA SAUCE AND KETCHUP FIGHT -TWO ARTISTS CRAWL THROUGH CENTRAL LONDON -TWO ARTISTS PISS ON DUCHAMP’S URINAL -TWO ARTISTS JUMP ON TRACEY EMIN’S BED -PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS -BIOGRAPHY