EXPORT
ongoing project
Inspired by the resilient, resourceful people in China who carry a multitude of goods on their bicycles, and by the vibrant patterns of bags encountered during my travels, this project explores the cultural and personal narratives woven into everyday life. The project culminated in a public performance in the bustling center of Shanghai, where I walked and cycled through the streets, transporting handmade bags that merge traditional Chinese designs with modern urban aesthetics.
Through this one-time action, I created a visual and performative metaphor for the invisible labor and cultural heritage carried by individuals in the flow of a fast-paced, globalized city. Each bag, adorned with patterns reflecting the vibrant markets of China, serves not just as a utilitarian object but as a symbol of the weight of memories, heritage, and personal stories that we all transport daily.
The act became a transient installation—an ephemeral piece of art that blends the boundaries between the personal and public space.
The tension between the overloaded bicycle and the movement through the city highlights the struggle and persistence found in daily tasks, while celebrating the beauty in resilience and repetition.
"Export" is created in Shanghai during the “Swatch Art Peace” Artist Residency after long research and traveling in small villages in the south of China.
Performance and Design: Iva Ivanova
2017
Shanghai and Vienna
© Photos: Kolbrún Inga Söring
Documentation of the Performance in Shanghai
© Photo: Robert Gabris