This is a video recording of Qiu Zhijie's talk 'How to Become an Empty Man' at the Humanities Building of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) on 15 March 2011. It was presented by the Department of Fine Arts, CUHK, with the support of Hanart TZ Gallery. In Mandarin.

'The artist Qiu Zhijie has been an Associate Professor of the Mixed Media Art Department, and Co-Director of the Visual Culture Center at the China Academy of Art (CAA) since 2003. By employing his constantly evolving concept of "total art", Qiu has created an energetic force by combining traditional art education and contemporary art. The educational and art philosophy of the Total Art Studio focuses on self-criticism and an overall shaping of individuality. Adopting a cultural approach, students are introduced to a wide range of sociology, archeology, and media research. Social research, symbolic analysis and events, are incorporated into everyday experience. A complex cultural production which combines action, installation, and live arts, as well as events, writing and exhibitions, is thus formed. These elements link the needs of the individual for expressing personal creativity with that of social concern, and help artists break away from the impasse caused by the commercialization of contemporary art, which has rendered it symbolic and formulaic. Of these, the idea of “how to become an empty man” has become an important proposition in Qiu Zhijie’s creative works and teachings.' (English translation of a poster for the event)

Video by AAA: Janet Chan