Sparrow on the Sea

EVENT DESCRIPTION

M+ is delighted to announce a brand-new film Sparrow on the Sea (2024) by celebrated Chinese artist and filmmaker Yang Fudong, co-commissioned with Art Basel and presented by UBS. The moving image work will be shown on the M+ Facade every night from Friday, 22 March to Sunday, 9 June 2024. This is the third year M+ has collaborated with Art Basel to activate the Facade, presented by UBS.

Sparrow on the Sea is an ‘architectural film’ as Yang describes, intertwining moving image with Hong Kong’s landscape, architecture, and soundscape. Shot in the vibrant city, home to both M+ and Art Basel’s only fair in Asia, the black-and-white film weaves together enchanting scenes from picturesque seaside villages to the captivating allure of nocturnal city streets. Drawing inspiration from the visual motifs and textures of classic Hong Kong cinema from the 1970s to the 1990s, Yang’s new work evokes a profound sense of nostalgic familiarity. Intended to function as a short poem, the enigmatic work blends moments from Hong Kong’s past and present to offer viewers a glimpse into an unpredictable future. Demonstrating a continuation of the artist’s distinctive aesthetic, the work artfully blurs the boundaries between reality and fiction, presenting dreamlike narratives that transport viewers to otherworldly realms.

Yang’s unique perspective reveals a resonant world on the light-powered canvas of the M+ Facade. Sparrow on the Seainvites the audience to embrace the ambient soundscapes of the city as an immersive soundtrack accompanying Yang’s moving image, creating a distinct and captivating viewing experience in Hong Kong.

Sparrow on the Sea will premiere with sound at the M+ Cinema on Saturday, 23 March 2024, followed by a discussion with the artist, co-hosted by M+ and Art Basel.