Story By: John Feng, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Asia Wire Report
This talented artist is creating movie posters of classic cinema icons – like this James Bond one – using only items found in his kitchen while cooped up at home during the coronavirus crisis.
Li Xiaodong, 40, from Beijing, teaches digital art, and his lessons have moved online since the government implemented strict social distancing policies in February, he told Asia Wire.
His videos show him using fruits and vegetables, and even flour and rice, to recreate instantly recognisable shots from James Bond and Ang Lee’s 2001 Oscar-winning Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Mr Li has a passion for films and classic novels, but he only recently became inspired to make DIY movie posters in his kitchen while cooking for his wife and three-year-old son.
He explained: “I love drawing and photography, but I’ve been spending all my time at home because of the outbreak.
“Once while cutting spring onions, I began wondering what it would look like if I shone a light through its centre.
“I use my phone’s torch function as a backlight, and it turns otherwise ordinary ingredients into these amazing film props.”
Footage shows Mr Li making paper cut-outs of movie characters and propping them up against a backdrop of kitchen items.
With his simple lighting effects, he is able to recreate a poster for James Bond using an empty crisp tube.
He makes a Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon poster using rice and disposable chopsticks, while ginger, flour and cauliflower is used for a scene out of the 2002 Chinese martial arts movie Hero, starring Jet Li.
Mr Li’s twist on Will Smith’s 2006 film Pursuit of Happyness also won him praise from the actor himself on Chinese social media.
Most importantly, his fruits and vegetables never go to waste.
He noted: “Whether the ingredients work or not, I’ll cook them for dinner.”
Mr Li told Asia Wire it takes him three days to a week to think up each theme. He then spends three hours creating the miniature set in his kitchen.
He plans to create more movie posters as his remote work continues.
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