This week, a new event will launch, offering you a unique digital arts encounter. CAN x TWO TEMPLE PLACE is a special co-production between contemporary British Chinese artists and an architectural treasure on London’s Embankment.
Taking place as part of the CAN Festival 2021, CAN x TWO TEMPLE PLACE is an ambitious new production from Chinese Arts Now. It’s co-produced with Two Temple Place, one of London’s hidden gems.
CAN x TWO TEMPLE PLACE was originally conceived as a live exhibition but it’s now evolved into a unique arts encounter. It uses gaming technology to create a whole new 3D digital world where you can experience the work.
CAN x TWO TEMPLE PLACE
Events will include a digital exhibition and two ‘live’ performances of Every dollar is a soldier/With money you’re a dragon. Plus there’ll be workshops, talks, tours and opportunities to speak to the artists.
Two Temple Place is a neo-Gothic mansion on the Embankment, built by American millionaire William Waldorf Astor in 1895. Contemporary British Chinese artists have been invited to respond to the historical context and architecture of Two Temple Place. Using a variety of media, the artists examine the very different immigration experiences of the wealthy and influential, and the largely poor Chinese people who have emigrated to the UK.
For the digital exhibition, you’ll enter via a short film, before being left to explore the space in your own time. You’ll be able to navigate through a virtual world, designed by Christine 挺欢 Urquhart. Here you can discover works by fine artist and singer-songwriter Chloe Wing. And work from augmented reality and architectural artist Donald Shek. Enjoy pieces from performance artist Jack Tan and composer Jasmin Kent-Rodgman. Plus there’ll be new music by An-Ting Chang and spoken text by Daniel York Loh to experience.
All these elements come together to create a new way of looking at British Chinese history. This exhibition will be available 24 hours a day and is free for you to enjoy.
An immersive production
Every dollar is a soldier/With money you’re a dragon is an immersive production bringing together videos, virtual companions and new music by An-Ting Chang. Explore the contrasting journeys of Two Temple Place founder William Waldorf Astor and the Chinese people who have come to the UK over the last 100 years. Choose an avatar to travel through the virtual space and follow the ethereal Chloe Wing and her songs. Encounter performances by Wang Xiao, Cheng Yu and Si Rawlinson and incisive text by Daniel York Loh. This performance takes place on 19th and 20th March, with tickets costing £6 each.
There’ll also be free workshops where you can learn how to create your own music or augmented reality (AR), and try your hand at paper cutting with Chloe Wing. Finally, CAN’s artistic director An-Ting Chang and director of Two Temple Place Anneliese Davidsen, will give a virtual tour of Two Temple Place. They’ll discuss how the exhibition artists have responded to the building.
When: 19th February – 21st March 2021
Where: Online
£: Ticket prices vary, depending on the event. Some events are free
More info: twotempleplace.org/whats-on