THE Serpentine Galleries joins a large number of galleries reopening, announcing its relaunch tomorrow with the exhibition Cao Fei: Blueprints. These unprecedented times, though limiting in many ways, offer new explorations of virtual and digital possibilities.
As such, alternative ways of experiencing art are being trialled to maintain social distancing practices. The Serpentine is one of many galleries and organisations taking part in new innovative ways to safely open public spaces, partaking in new forms of art and visual experience.
Cao Fei, Blueprints (Installation view, March 2020, Serpentine Gallery) Photo credit: Gautier Deblonde
Cao Fei, Nova, 2019, Video, 109’. Courtesy the artist, Vitamin Creative Space and Sprüth Magers
Blueprints, the immersive, site-specific piece explores dialogues of automation, virtuality and technologies whilst examining the social history and urban transformation of Beijing’s Jiuxianqiao (Hong Xia) district. The installation originally opened in March before the temporary closure of the gallery due to COVID-19, the exhibition will now run until 13 September.
Cao Fei, Nova, 2019, Video, 109’. Courtesy the artist, Vitamin Creative Space and Sprüth Magers
As Cao Fei’s first major solo exhibition in a UK public institution, the display originally included the world premiere of the virtual reality work The Eternal Wave, produced in collaboration with Acute Art. In light of the global pandemic, Acute Art has developed an augmented reality version of the kitchen space in which The Eternal Wave begins. This new artwork is accessible through your smartphone, representing the second chapter in Cao Fei’s virtual work.
by Rosie Fitter
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