Chinese artist Xu Bing's first American installation was originally created in 2004 in Cardiff, utilizing the dust that the artist collected from the streets of Lower Manhattan in the aftermath of 9/11.

Where Does the Dust Itself Collect? Show in New York recreates a field of dust across a floor surface, punctuated by the outline of a Zen Buddhist poem.

The work explores the relationship between the material and the spiritual world, and the complicated circumstances created by different world perspectives.

Xu Bing was born in Chongqing but grew up in Beijing. He was sent to perform farm labor as an "educated youth" during the "cultural revolution" (1966-1976) and then entered the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) in 1977, where he studied and taught in the printmaking department, receiving both his bachelor's and master's degrees there.

In 1990 Xu moved to the United States, eventually relocating to New York in 1992.

Date: Till Oct 9

Venue: 5 West 22nd St, New York

Website: http://www.nyc-arts.org

China Daily

(China Daily 09/23/2011 page23)