Xu says his ideal living space epitomizes harmony with nature.Photo provided to China Daily

Xu has produced a miniature landscape in which it seems people can live and play, but which, in reality, is impossible to enter.

"It's a space in between two-dimensional painting and reality — a 2.5-D effect," says Xu, who has created a dreamlike ambience, with mist, cute little houses and the sounds of birds and insects, along with delicate light effects.

He collected nine types of stones from five special places in China to create his site-specific installation. The biggest stone he used is about 1.8 meters high.

Xu says these stones reflect traditional Chinese painting styles and represent a close connection with nature.

"My ideal living space epitomizes harmony with nature, appreciation of everything we've been given, and gratitude for life and all its blessings. My ideal space does not destroy or change anything," he says.

Traditional crafts and techniques coexist with contemporary conceptualism in this Chongqing-born and Beijing-raised artist's pieces, and in this work he pays particular homage to ancient Chinese artists.

"Ancient Chinese artists drew inspiration from personally observing rocks and traveling in the midst of nature," Xu says.

"Put a stone on the table, and our ancestor artists could have many revelations about beauty, rhythm and the natural spirit from such simple observations. It is not a juxtaposition, but a true internal connection between Chinese traditional painting (shanshui, or landscape) and the natural environment."

Xu considers Traveling to the Wonderland his most challenging installation, in terms of methodology. He always encourages viewers to discover every possible interpretation of his art. He deliberately provokes disparate readings by playing on the multiplicity of meanings, like a poet. But Xu also resembles an engineer. His works, which combine powerful cultural icons with emotionally laden issues, are machines for generating interpretations.

"I think both poets and artists must play on the multiplicity of meanings," he says.

"I believe any good piece of art should bring people to a new place, give them a whole new experience. And every new technique used in art should bring viewers to a new place. The questions are why is it important and how to achieve it."

The concepts of transformation, regeneration and repetition play key roles in Xu's work. Asked why these aspects belong so closely to his vision, he poses a question: "How do artists inspire viewers by altering their perception, and by what method? I like to start from the most ordinary subject matter that people expect the least from. A little change to these things will trigger sufficient reaction and awareness.

"Transforming language challenges the fundamental elements of our thinking patterns, the cognitive structures of the mind."

In conjunction with the installation, Xu is also presenting Tao Yuanming's classic text through the form of his New English Calligraphy, "as an echo to my installation work", he says. The work-on-paper display related to Peach Blossom Spring is featured in Room 44 at the V&A Museum.