Artist creates mind-healing 'desert island'

After touring 10 cities in China over the past three years, Zhao Bandi's performance art piece, Nestlet, arrived in Moscow in late December.

Displayed at the Center for Contemporary Art No 9, it comprises a bamboo hut, a hammock and an area covered by bamboo leaves with a picnic blanket on it, creating a nest-like space to "heal people's minds".

"Art has no boundaries. I hope people can share their joys and sorrows in this little nest from China when the whole world is not that good. It's a healing nest," says the 58-year-old artist.

Zhao held banquets in the space during previous shows, inviting his friends and visitors to dance, sing and chat. Visitors could even sleep inside the bamboo hut.

He created this healing sanctuary in 2020 and then exhibited it in 10 cities, including Shanghai, Wuhan in Hubei province, Nanjing in Jiangsu province, and Xiamen in Fujian province.

At parties during the shows, people from different walks of life and of various nationalities shared their stories, emotions and thoughts with one another.

Zhao recalls when it was shown in Wuhan, a group of young African students talked, sang and danced, making him feel like he was attending the celebration of a festival in Africa.

People's enjoyment of Nestlet has surprised and moved Zhao.