Exhibition provides thought-provoking look at originality

Italian artist and curator Maurizio Cattelan is known for his approach of using elements borrowed from elsewhere in his own creation to discuss the relationship between originality and copying. His works are often collages of elements from historic events, cultural phenomena and social news. He challenges people's existing opinions and provides a novel perspective on what's happening in the world.

Cattelan says his practices have always centered around the belief that "copying is an act that can bring originality". He says that there is a difference between the acts of copying and replicating. He explains that while a copy "maintains a relationship with"－and may likely enrich－the original, a replica adds nothing new and is simply identical.

Cattelan stresses this belief at The Artist is Present, an exhibition he has curated at Yuz Museum in Shanghai. Ironically, the name itself imitates artist Marina Abramovi, who in a 2010 exhibition with the same title, sought to show how the artistic concept is more important than the medium through which it is conveyed.

The show, which will end on Sunday, is jointly presented by the Shanghai museum and the Italian fashion brand Gucci.

The exhibition brings together more than 30 artists from around the world whose work is being displayed in 17 rooms on the museum's first floor, which was remodeled just for the show.

Visitors enter each of the rooms and are introduced to different ways of copying, as the featured artists provide their takes on things that already exist, in a bid to provide people with a new perspective of the world.

It is a mind-transforming journey, according to Cattelan, who's own works are also featured. He says it is to redefine some of the ideas that seem natural to people and to break some of the rules that are supposed to be followed.

The diverse backgrounds of the artists adds intellectual depth.