“Fire Symbol”, 2013. Engraving on glass cup, magnifier, candle. Photo by Wang Wenlong. Courtesy Shanghai 21st Century Minsheng Art Museum.

 

This work involves a very simple type of projective installation, which consists of a oil candle and a magnifier. On the surface of these glass cups the various symbols and letters for the word “Fire” from many different languages – such as the Dongba script of the Nakhi people of China, Egyptian Hieroglyphs and Chinese ancient characters – were engraved by hand.  These engravings are subsequently projected as shadows on the far wall via magnifier.