powdered chinese hair made into the biological liquid ink and ink stick format are the new materials for chinese ink painting. the hair-made genetic ink itself is an art object, and at the same time, it is a component of my new installation. this special invention has been possible by the collaborative effort and generous support of the bio-lab of shanghai university, the shanghai test tubing factory, the shanghai qunzhong furniture factory, the shanghai medical factory and the shanghai ink factory. through difficult process of experimentation, we have achieved a significant result in the historical development of chinese traditional ink-making methods.

the definition of "black silk" represents chinese hair itself, "rain" refers to the ink drop. traditionally, the shanghai medical factory produces hair powder for medicinal purposes. powdered human hair is used as a medical treatment for anxiety. in traditional ink fabrication, charcoal powder is used as the black pigment material. the medical factory has invented a hair powder especially formulated to be the fundamental pigment for my liquid ink and ink stick following the original chinese prescription of powdered human hair, ironically and symbolically, the human hair-made ink is now given a conceptual function to cure cultural anxiety.

#1, black silk rain (liquid ink)
because of it is biological properties, and link to the concept of our biological century, this new chinese ink is bottled in a standard biological laboratory container made of clear glass, resting in a gracefully designed jichi wood box. the ink glass bottle and jichi wood box are engraved with the words "black silk rain" both in chinese and english. the package traditionally displays the ink as a revered, chinese national treasure.

#2, black silk rain (ink sticks)
the human biological ink sticks are traditionally formulated and each made by hand. the ink stick shape is made to my custom specifications and includes the name carved into the surface and highlighted in gold. they are beautifully displayed in a jichi wood box with the three word title engraved on the lid: "black silk rain" .