Media reports by Wang Kaifang

Wang Kaifang, who has been fond of painting since childhood, has always been the representative of the art department in the class, the literary and artistic backbone of the school, and the cultural cadre of the student union. At the class reunion for the 20th anniversary of his high school graduation a few days ago, his class teacher also recalled with great interest the blackboard posters drawn by Wang Kaifang: "The whole blackboard is Wang Kaifang's canvas, and he creates with great freedom. Our blackboard posters are always I was first in grade, and every time I wanted to erase it, I said, 'No, I haven't seen enough yet.'" "Rampage" and "alley friends" are now popular words that Wang Kaifang no longer used twenty years ago. It feels fresh. He loved to play since he was a child. He rode his bike from Beijing to Mount Tai in middle school. He traveled almost all over China before graduating from college. He also held the school's first personal travel photography exhibition, which caused quite a stir. "The exhibition held in 1987 was withdrawn within a few days because the school leaders discovered that there were remarks in it advocating that traveling thousands of miles is as good as reading thousands of books. They believed that encouraging travel would distract students from their real work, and they were afraid of the negative impact." Wang Kaifang smiled mischievously like a sunny boy.

Wang Kaifang, who graduated from the Department of Architecture of Beijing Institute of Construction Engineering in 1991, majored in mechanical and electrical engineering when he entered school. He admitted frankly that he "didn't do well in the college entrance examination and his score was a bit behind." He wanted to transfer to his favorite architecture department, but there was no precedent for "changing departments" in the School of Construction and Engineering at that time. Looking at the resolute Wang Kaifang, the principal made a harsh condition: he could be considered for transferring departments, but he must have excellent grades in all subjects and outstanding performance in the student union. After a year of hard work, Wang Kaifang, who was ranked among the top three in the grade, was active in social work, and successfully passed the special assessment, got what he wanted. He asked the school to make an exception for himself, becoming the first student to transfer to a department and later making the teachers proud of him.

If you think that his excellent academic performance comes from the strict supervision of his parents, you are wrong. Wang Kaifang's parents are both diplomats. They have been working abroad for a long time and gave Wang Kaifang a "free range" as a half-year-old child, allowing him to grow up freely. "I once cried secretly because my parents ignored me, but it was that kind of training that cultivated my ability to face society alone since I was a child." Wang Kaifang said. Today, Wang Kaifang can be regarded as a legendary figure. He has many titles: architect, cross-border designer, contemporary conceptual artist, traveler, columnist, etc. With more than 20 years of creation, he has more than 200 works, involving architecture, interior, planning, gardening, sculpture, installation, video, furniture, clothing, stage design, accessories, graphics and other fields, with outstanding achievements.

Crossover is not a deliberate word for Wang Kaifang. It ranges from the urban planning and design of Wusheng County in Sichuan that he is presiding over, to the Beijing Summer Capital Conference Center design that won the "Great Wall Cup" award with more than 40,000 square meters, to the Chengdu Radio Live Hall with an area of ??100 square meters that was just selected in the 2010 International Interior Design Yearbook, Wang Kaifang always made Song Zuying's dress for last year's Spring Festival Gala with ease and originality. It seems that his natural talent is to understand and analyze the essence of a thing, and to restructure it and combine it with modern elements to bring it to life. In the design of a landmark building project in Wusheng, Sichuan, his plan was approved again and preparations are under way for construction. “The design is no longer limited to economy and development at this time, but is a rational and historically responsible planning for urban ecology. , to assist and promote people’s healthy life.” As one of the early designers to go abroad, Wang Kaifang has gone abroad many times to give lectures and communicate, and his original design spirit has won the respect of his foreign colleagues. 2009 Outstanding Artist of the Chinese Era, Annual Cover Person of the American "Interior Design", Japan's NASHOP Architectural Lighting Design Award, works selected for the 2010 Beijing International Art Biennale, the 60th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China Contemporary Art Achievements Exhibition, etc. These many domestic and foreign awards are An affirmation for him. In the previous collaboration between the Swarovski brand and a Chinese designer, Wang Kaifang's work was highly praised and was selected as a gift for the Austrian National Pavilion at the World Expo. The work is a pair of crystal cockroach ornaments. He wants to use the charm of crystal to make cockroaches, a "hated" creature, "can't put it down". He believes that "in this subversion of values, human beings should reflect on their own Can wisdom understand the meaning of the existence of this 35000-year-old species? What qualifications do we have to deprive them of their right to survive? Why has our will become fragile, shallow and selfish at this time? "As a person who likes to think, Many in-depth views that cannot be expressed freely in the field of design have allowed him to express them in the field of pure art in recent years. He used tens of thousands of spoons and buttons collected from people from different walks of life to make a large-scale installation sculpture "Food and Clothing", and used their wishes in 2009 to make a video work "Wish 2009". Through such a He advocates democracy, pays attention to people's livelihood, and expresses his thoughts on social issues through conceptual works with documentary significance; at the just-concluded "2010 Art Beijing Contemporary Art Fair", his new series of works "I Love Beijing Tiananmen" and "Ancestral Genealogy" is even more brilliant and has attracted the attention of many overseas galleries and collectors. Building the artistic, social and conceptual aspects of works in creation is also Wang Kaifang's creative philosophy. The first time I met Wang Kaifang was at the annual dinner held by the magazine. He was invited by a friend to attend the event. He wore a highly saturated indigo suit and stood out among the black tailed men wearing bow ties. This kind of dress has won a lot of heads. There are no ostentatious styles and accessories, but it easily achieves an elegant and chic effect.

In his daily life, Wang Kaifang is not particularly particular about dressing up. Pursuing famous brands and new seasons and new styles are not his concerns. But as long as he attends public events, he is still willing to be as elegant and decent as possible while maintaining his own style. His lifestyle of traveling abroad all year round has made him very attached to natural landscapes, and his fun-loving personality is also well-known in his circle of friends. He spent every vacation in college traveling. Now in his 40s, he has traveled to more than 80 countries on five continents. In 1991, he traveled the Silk Road alone. In 2000, he explored the hinterland of Africa alone. In 2004, he traveled in India for one and a half months. In 2007, he landed in Antarctica with the US scientific expedition team to celebrate his unforgettable 40th birthday. He firmly believes in understanding and perfecting life through travel, and commits to one Ramadan, two marathons, and three long trips every year. His life philosophy also affects the friends around him. In July this year, he will lead all his employees to Thailand to participate in the Pattaya International Marathon. In January this year, he just completed the Xiamen International Marathon. As a staff writer for Traveler magazine ten years ago and now a columnist for Fashion magazine, Wang Kaifang published a complete collection of his travels and creations "Wandering Clouds and Flowing Waters" in 2008. This 500-page book weighs 10 In Jin's picture album, many articles and pictures reflect Wang Kaifang's thoughts: he questions the origin of mankind, the evolution of civilization, and even reflects on science and environmental protection. These articles can be seen on his blog, and are often recommended by the editors of the website, attracting heated discussions among netizens, either seeking support or ridiculing. Wang Kaifang believes that these are normal and articles that can make everyone think. It has its existence value.

He strives to spread a healthy and caring lifestyle, and has supported charitable causes with practical actions for many years, including the Smooth Angel Foundation, Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation, China Red Cross Foundation, China Children's Foundation, China Population Welfare Foundation, China Health Care Foundation, etc., and donated his artistic works to the Happiness Project, 5.12 Earthquake Relief, Harper's Bazaar Celebrity Charity Night, etc. Now, Wang Kaifang also serves as the artistic director of the Beijing Friendship Heritage Cultural Foundation, and has been volunteering and creating for this purpose all year round...

However, under countless auras, only he knows best. All the achievements come from the original pure love. "I have never been willing to deliberately achieve anything. Achievement is a by-product of doing things. Sincerity and persistence are my attitude towards doing things, and love is the origin and strength." Wang Kaifang today recalls that he was still calm and calm at the time. Reflection, "Life, creation, emotions, etc. are all branches, green leaves, and fruits on the big tree of life. Life has flowers blooming and falling, good times and bad times, such as spring, summer, autumn, winter, and the sun sets. All I can do is Accept and enjoy such peace and beauty.

”