“久视不识” 出自明代吕坤的《呻吟语》，原句为：久视则熟字不识，注视则静物若动。乃知蓄疑者，乱真知；过思者，迷正应。本被用来批驳久视、注视的行为会妨碍人对事物的认知，但这些现象也可以有别的解读路径。例如心理学中有 “语义饱和” 一说来形容 “久视则熟字不识”，取 “饱和” 来解释语义的陌生化；而 “注视则静物若动” 在图像学、视错觉领域亦多有妙用。

曹象的绘画，有如对细微日常的观察笔记，以看似写实、却又抽象的构图与光影，把平凡甚至单调的事物陌生化，玩味其异质的观感，并形成冷感、平静的省读空间。

本次个展选取其投身绘画至今 “界面”、“未知感” 等系列中或截取事物局部、或框限城市场景的 22 件画作以及两本实验性的手绘 “假画册”，呈现他的绘画探索进程，并邀请观者体会面对其画作时的 “久视不识”。

关于艺术家

曹象
1995 年生于南京，现生活工作于深圳和上海。他硕士毕业于上海美术学院美术学专业架上绘画方向。曹象以绘画玩味日常里的异质观感，从一种游离的视角挖掘生活景象背后的未知体验，并将视觉表象提炼、抽象化。

关于一念行

一念行中国当代艺术研究学会，简称：一念行，强调知行合一，致力于推动中国当代艺术的创作与研究。

关于 SNAP

是一所纯非赢利机构，由纽约视觉艺术学院创办于 2014 年，由当代艺术家及纽约视觉艺术学院纯艺系教师、当代艺术实践系硕士生导师胡任乂主持。目的是为了推广全世界范围内优秀当代艺术家，设计师，策展人与艺术行业专业人士。机构功能包括展览，讲座，调研和讨论会。通过提供这个平台，让艺术行业相关人员深化艺术实践与发展，同时构筑强化的联系纽带。

“When one looks for too long, familiar characters appear unfamiliar. When one stares intently, static objects seem to move. This teaches us that over-questioning obscures genuine understanding, while overthinking disrupts natural responses.”

Although Lü Kun used this idea to critique how prolonged observation can hinder understanding, these phenomena can be interpreted through alternative lenses. For instance, in psychology, “semantic satiation” describes how prolonged exposure can render familiar things strange. Similarly, visual studies and optical illusions have explored the idea of static objects appearing to move.

Cao Xiang’s paintings serve as observational diaries, capturing the subtle nuances of everyday life. His compositions and use of light, which straddle the line between realism and abstraction, defamiliarize the ordinary, evoking a sense of playful alienation. His works create a tranquil space for contemplation, inviting the audience to see the familiar in a new light.

This solo exhibition features 22 works from his_Interfaces_ and_Sense of the Unknown_ series alongside two experimental hand-drawn “fake catalogs.” The selection includes cropped details of objects and framed cityscapes, showcasing Cao’s artistic journey in painting. SNAP invites the visitors to engage with the works and experience their own”Semantic Satiation” moments as they engage with the works.

About the Artist

Cao Xiang
Born in 1995 in Nanjing, currently lives and works in Shenzhen and Shanghai. He holds a master’s degree in fine arts from the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts, focusing on easel painting. Through his paintings, Cao playfully explores heterogeneous perceptions in everyday life, delving into the unknown experiences hidden behind familiar scenes from a detached perspective. He refines and abstracts visual appearances to create his works.

About Yinianxing

The Yinianxing Chinese Contemporary Art Research Society, abbreviated as Yinianxing, promotes the creation and research of contemporary Chinese art.

About SNAP

SNAP is a non-profit art center established in late 2014 by the School of Visual Arts in NYC (SVA-NYC). It is currently under the directorship of contemporary artist and SVA professor (Fine Arts), MFA Mentor (MFA Art Practice) Hu Renyi. SNAP focuses on holding art exhibitions, lectures, and seminars among international and local contemporary artists, designers, curators, and art industry professionals. By providing this platform, art community members can further their practice and development and build stronger ties.