Lee Mingwei (b. 1964) is an artist who mends, reconciles, and remembers, and he eases us into a place where we do the same, mostly through performance. I didn’t say poke or cajole or bulldoze. His is the art of the gift — to give an opportunity, a space, and a means. I’d seen his work before, off and on over 20 years, not looking for it especially but happy whenever I’ve found it. I visited the de Young Museum in San Francisco a few weeks ago. Its exquisite American-art collection, not mammoth but each work a jewel, is always a stop. It’s like visiting a dear, old, comforting friend. Knowing the museum was also doing Lee Mingwei: Rituals of Care made a visit essential.
Lee is American and was educated here but grew up in Taiwan. I’d call him a performance artist who happens to be a magician. Performance art is less an object, though objects sometimes evolve from it, than an experience. The artist’s body — his actions, voice, and look — is a medium, but it takes two to tango. Viewers become actors, too, and co-creators with the artist.
Comments