Mask or smile?

It is not dreadful to rain, but it IS for sure if it rains like this.

Here at Paris-Beijing Gallery in 798 Art District, 600 sharp, stabbing knives rain down from the sky, each of them carrying man-made waste leading to water pollution.

Can you imagine this downpour being a birthday gift at your party? Well it really is, a gift artist Wen Fang gave to China as the country wraps up its 60 years' development.

"China is so different before and after I went abroad studying.

Motherland is just like my mum. I definitely love her very much. But it is exactly the love that makes me want it better," said Wen Fang.

Despite the knives being the major attraction and those photos printed on them can be barely noticed at first sight, Wen Fang insisted on photographing them in person. Because, as she put it, it was only when she saw those waste that she really felt the damage.

"We say a knife rain in China when we've got the worst situation. In this case this worst situation is not coming from nature or others. It is caused by ourselves gradually. We have to realize it before we can avoid it. "

At least there is something we could do. But there are also many other circumstances in which we can’t even make a choice. For example, the Sichuan earthquake last year.

"My family originated from Sichuan Province. There are still some of my father’s relatives living in Mianyang, which was also hit by the quake. Luckily no one was hurt. "

"I found in the quake that those bricks we had so long believed to be protectors were actually the cause of harm. This brought me great grief."

"But one day on my way home before dawn, this line from Poet Hai Zi suddenly occurred to me.

'Facing the sea, flowers blossoming in spring.' The poem was written not long before his death, also in a rather bad condition. But he felt the power inside himself overcome the reality,'said Wen Fang.

Yes indeed, disasters are inevitable in our lives, but there is always a possibility that the warmth in our heart can go beyond tragedy.

This optimism still holds true as the world is challenged by the H1N1 flu this year. The relations between individuals has become a huge spreading net of masks as people spare no efforts in seeking protection.

But can this really make a difference? Why not remove the masks and show your smile to each other. Maybe that is going to help ease the tension.

Arts are generally considered a way to query the reality and point out problems, but would it be better if it can help to solve them? Just as Wen Fang puts it, "Complaining is such an easy thing to do" and she thinks better not. So here comes this piece: TO KEEP ON LIVING.

The inspiration originated from a French charity foundation which has been helping Chinese orphans in remote areas for the past decade. Then she started cooperating with the foundation.

"I took photos of the local children there. Then I ordered some customized desks made out of old elm door plank and printed the portraits on them."

"10,000 yuan for each desk and generally all the income will be donated to the foundation. We are doing fairly well. We’ve sold more then 10 desks already."

"We will see some new orphans each time and take them into the foundation if they are up to the standard. There is no sorrow on their faces, but numbness. It's like they won't have the slightest expression on their faces whatever you say or do to them. But when I went there again I saw smile on their faces. So I think they are not only helped in terms of education, but something more profound."

Script: Christie Lee

Video: Christie Lee