Glowing universe

Given the large opaque spheres arranged in and around it, the pavilion on Miami’s oceanfront, with a bamboo roof that sweeps up on one side like some enormous quiff, is evidently not just some beach bar or other; so much is clear during the day. But it is at night that it reveals its full nature and its magic really comes into play. In fact, the pavilion, exhibition space and second Audemars Piguet Art Commission at this year’s Art Basel Miami is an all-in-one gallery, cinema and installation. Under the title “Reconstruction of the Universe” Chinese artist Sun Xun explores and showcases all the multidisciplinary facets of his oeuvre.

Sun Xun experiments with a wide variety of techniques: he paints, works in ink, and produces woodcuts. His inspiration comes draws both on European art history of art and on that of his native country. Xun combines the resulting works of art into two and three-dimensional animations. Accordingly, the pavilion on the oceanfront not only showcases his works on paper, which are suspended on half-height wall sections. Additional animations are projected onto canvases, and these form the true heart of the Audemars Piguet Art Commission. They also explain the title Sun Xun has given his work “Reconstruction of the Universe”. After all, here the artist has explored the five elements of metal, wood, fire, water and earth that or so Chinese tradition would have it, go to make up the universe.

When night falls over Miami the universe comes to life. And then the opaque spheres also light up and reveal the magnificent patterns Sun Xun has painted on them.