I created the myth of the Great Old Ones.

Thinking this, Lu Ban decided to order a sturdy crowbar online to remember his friend who had been with him for so long.

At the same time, in Lu Ban's field of vision, the pen on the table twisted like a long snake, winding to form the cold and indifferent words of the Silent Land.

[Career Development Tasks]

Chapter 664 New Forms of Expression

[Career Development Tasks]

[Past media methods were limited by perception, and their expressive power has its limits. You have already reached the pinnacle within traditional forms of expression. Now it is time to create a new era, become a true initiator, and lead a brand new trend.]

[Task requirement: Create new forms of expression]

[Mission Requirement: Impact on Humanity: 0/10000000]

"They say the first person to eat crab is brave, but what about the first person to drink milk?"

Lu Ban looked at the distorted characters and quickly began to think about how to complete the task.

Judging from the mission description of Silent Land, this mission first requires Lu Ban to create a new form of expression before anything else can be discussed.

The forms of expression in artworks are nothing more than words, sounds, and images. Some artworks also offer tactile, olfactory, and gustatory experiences. It is said that there are some artworks that require people to experience them with their hearts, but Lu Ban does not know how to operate them.

He decided to first look at those works to find inspiration.

After searching online, Lu Ban discovered that there was a recent art exhibition in Jiangcheng showcasing various artworks created by postmodern artists.

After reading the exhibition's description, Lu Ban felt that it might be useful this time, so he immediately booked tickets.

Lu Ban's phone rang shortly after he placed the order.

He saw it was an unfamiliar number and answered the call.

"Excuse me, are you Director Lu Ban?"

The other person's tone was very polite.

"Correct."

Lu Ban replied that he didn't know who it was.

"We are the organizers of the 'Experience Modernity' art exhibition. We just received a reservation to visit the exhibition. Is this you?"

The other party said cautiously.

"It's me, what's wrong?"

Nowadays, all ticket purchases require real-name authentication, so it's not unusual for the other party to know that Lu Ban booked the ticket.

"Oh, it's nothing. We're just a little apprehensive, worried that our artwork isn't good enough to meet your standards, Director Lu."

The voice on the phone sounded terrified.

"It's okay, I'll just go and study."

Lu Ban said generously.

"So...Director Lu, would you like to come in the morning or the afternoon?"

"This afternoon."

谷狂

Lu Ban replied, and then listened to the other party briefly introduce the situation of the art exhibition. After the other party apologized for disturbing Lu Ban's rest by calling so late, he hung up the phone.

Lu Ban didn't take this little incident to heart.

However, Cheng Junjie, the organizer of the exhibition and an industry association, felt increasingly uneasy.

Actually, there aren't many people in the art world these days who are truly dedicated to creating art. After all, people need to eat, and if their paintings don't sell and no one buys their work, how can they possibly make a living?

Even if you think you have Van Gogh's level of skill, his paintings only became valuable after he died. In today's competitive world, even if you die, your paintings may not be able to go up in value; you have to die in a unique way to make them valuable.

In the normal market, most of the works are by formally trained professionals with established lineages. These masters are highly skilled and their paintings are popular, which in turn allows their students' and disciples' paintings to fetch good prices, creating a cycle.

Others had to find another way.

For example, those in the expressionist and postmodern styles can't do without sticking together.

Most postmodern works are at the level of "I don't understand them, but I am deeply impressed" for the general public. Ordinary people can't understand them, and even those big spenders don't really understand them.

But that's okay. As long as there's mutual praise and endorsement from business partners, not understanding the product doesn't prevent you from buying it for collection.

Therefore, some people in the circle started to go in increasingly strange, bizarre, and incomprehensible directions, and then found some seniors to praise them and create value for themselves.

In Cheng Junjie's exhibition, if not 99%, at least 100% of the works were created with this purpose in mind.

One master's work is kept as a prized possession, while the rest of the works are used as embellishments. This is how an industry chain is formed, where nouveau riche who like to buy art but don't really understand it are tricked into buying it.

Of course, even in this case, some people's works are still too outrageous to sell at all.

For example, one of the works is a portable public toilet, but the problem is that the door and toilet are made of transparent glass. The artist placed it on the street for passersby to use, claiming that it can liberate oneself and return to nature.

For example, one of his works is an old, abandoned television with a bitten apple inside. According to the artist, any new apple can be put in, and you just need to take a bite out of it. This work is said to express the alienation of humanity in the electronic age, but Cheng Junjie certainly doesn't understand it.

Another piece is a mirror covered in yellow paint. The surface of the mirror is covered in paint, making it look completely yellow. The artist claims that this is a silent indictment of this materialistic society, but unfortunately, people don't seem to like this indictment, and no one buys it.

However, what gave this artist a glimmer of hope was that another postmodern visual artist was inspired after seeing the mirror and covered the entire mirror with red paint. This artwork sold for millions at auction, so the artist who painted it yellow was looking forward to the day when he could turn his fortunes around.

Cheng Junjie called in a hurry mainly because he was worried that Lu Ban's visit to the exhibition might have some negative impact.

It's important to understand that Lu Ban isn't one of those burly, nouveau riche coal bosses. He's a genuine director who has produced blockbuster films and won numerous art awards, so his artistic talent is definitely higher than most people's.

Cheng Junjie had watched those movies himself, and putting everything else aside, he felt that he could never learn the arrangement, composition, color, and presentation of some of the scenes.

If such a person were to see through the fact that those works of art are merely used to deceive people, he might very well end up ruined.

Of course, there is another possibility: that Lu Ban himself doesn't understand those artworks and was just fooled into praising them. In that case, all the works in the art exhibition would probably sell for high prices on the same day. However, this possibility is extremely slim. Cheng Junjie might as well buy a few lottery tickets and pray for a big win.

Therefore, after confirming that Lu Ban was indeed coming, he prepared to make arrangements overnight, putting away some of the more outrageous works that were clearly meant to scam people, and instead showcasing some more serious ones.

Thinking of this, Cheng Junjie immediately called his journalist friends and told them that Jiang Luban was coming to participate in the exhibition. He planned to casually report on it, and people would definitely be curious. He could also take the opportunity to promote some products, which would help the industry develop.

With such anticipation, Cheng Junjie waited until the afternoon of the next day.

Chapter 665 Postmodern Art Exhibition

Jiangcheng Art Exhibition Center.

This convention and exhibition center, located on the outskirts of Jiangcheng City, was only recently completed.

Besides this avant-garde art convention center, this area also includes several museums, creative workshops, theaters, and experience centers currently under construction.

It is said that this was once the site of the Jiangcheng Grand Theater. After being bought by Jiangcheng Industrial, it was transformed into a community that promotes positive energy and creates art.

Lu Ban felt like he was coming home when he arrived here.

However, it is still some distance from the city center, and there are no densely populated residential areas around it, but there are large areas of farmland. Thanks to this, there are not many people.

Lu Ban saw some young couples on the street, mostly with the girls leading the boys. He thought about it and realized that this kind of avant-garde art might indeed be more appealing to artistic young women.

Of course, there were also some people who looked very artistic. For example, the person walking in front of Lu Ban was wearing a cotton-padded coat in the still somewhat hot weather. The coat was tattered and full of holes. He had messy long hair. Lu Ban looked at his face. It was square and upright, and there was a sharp feeling in his eyes.

Lu Ban watched as the person took two steps and came to the trash can.

Suddenly, he reached into the ashtray above the trash can and fished out a nearly extinguished cigarette butt. He skillfully picked it up with both hands and took a deep drag.

The faint sparks were rekindled by the airflow through the filter, just like life, vibrant and endless, just as the artist portrayed: even if disheveled, as long as there is faith in one's heart, then everywhere is a stage.

Lu Ban felt inspired and nodded to the artist.

The other person saw Lu Ban, but their gaze remained firm and unwavering, like a statue.

Lu Ban knew that this was a sign that his work was complete.

He arrived at the entrance of the art exhibition center.

There weren't many people here, and the area outside the exhibition hall was sparse. Lu Ban had the ticket inspector scan his electronic ticket, and as soon as he entered the convention center, he saw a man with thinning hair walking towards him.

"Hello, I am Cheng Junjie, the person in charge of this exhibition."

The other party introduced himself and enthusiastically prepared to explain things to Lu Ban.

"No need, I can take a look myself."

Lu Ban felt that such works of art, at least the first time, needed to be seen and pondered by oneself in order to gain the most original impression, even if it contradicted the author's original creative reasons, but this experience was unique.

Many people nowadays enjoy watching others explain movies online, which saves time and allows them to get a general idea of ​​the story, but many details of the works are lost.

Therefore, Lu Ban does not need explanation.

Declining the explanation, Lu Ban first noticed a peculiar work of art.

It was a chair, and it looked ordinary, like any wooden chair you could find anywhere.

But on the floor next to the chair, there were some stains that looked very dirty, like vomit.

Lu Ban didn't mean the stains were bad, but he couldn't figure out what purpose they served.

This artwork also allows passersby to sit on it and reflect on it.

But if you sit on it, you're bound to step on those stains.

Lu Ban didn't quite understand.

He decided to experience it for himself.

Stepping onto the soft, dirty stuff, Lu Ban sat down on the chair. Fortunately, these things weren't actually dirt, but were made using special methods and wouldn't stick to his shoes.

He tried to think, but the sensation under his feet kept disrupting his thoughts.

Thinking of this, Lu Ban suddenly understood.

谷赋

This artwork is telling us that even the greatest thoughts can be interrupted when faced with the filth right in front of us and the harm that touches upon ourselves.

He nodded, got down, and felt he had learned a lot.

Lu Ban continued walking inside.

He also saw an umbrella with only ribs, a cucumber taped to the wall, and the Statue of Liberty filled with urine.

Lu Ban arrived at a water tank containing an octopus. According to the instructions next to it, the audience could put their hands in and let the octopus wrap around them.