In 2011, Gao Bo coined the term "laostist" to describe his artistic practice. This play on words combines Lao Zi, a Chinese sage known for his Book of the Way, and the term "lost". For Gao Bo, artistic creation consists of allowing oneself to "get lost" far from established fashions and forms, in order to build one's own art and life. The exhibition mixes installations and performances. Ode combines five large gongs, set in motion by the presence of visitors, and the video of a performance, captured in the forest, featuring a group of men and women.
Ode includes the figuration of five gongs designed by the artist, made in China, according to ancient methods, in a bronze foundry located in a village in Hubei province. On each side of the five gongs, the artist has engraved a spontaneous calligraphy, using a language that recurs throughout his work. On the other side is engraved a spiral.
Each gong is accompanied by a mallet made of a stone tied with a linen cord. This is set in motion by the movement of visitors, captured by an infrared system. Thus the visitor becomes the composer of a common melody. A bulb is placed in the center of the gongs.
The work also includes a video of a performance captured in the Mormal state forest in the Hauts-de-France.
The artwork Ode refers to the oldest collection of Chinese poetry "Ode", published between the Zhou dynasty (1027-771 B.C.) and the Spring and Autumn period (770-476 B.C.). It consisted of three distinct parts: custom, elegance, ode.
Gao Bo (China) is a recipient of the Visual Arts Committees of the Cité internationale des arts.