We were commissioned to participate in Lane Crawford’s “Modern Expressions” (of Shanghai) exhibition. Our piece for the exhibition is a visual celebration of the dynamic colors and lights that embody the spirit of the city. Our “Modern Expression,” titled “R/G/B/Shanghai” comes via a three window video-art and light-sculpture installation that breaks down into the building blocks of digital light and color: red, green, and blue. Each window is cast separately with impressions of Shanghai’s reds, greens, and blues.

Through these colorized lenses, the video installations explore elements essential to our appreciation and understanding of Shanghai. Through red, we see traditional Shanghai’s heritage, culture, and old-world elements. Through green, we see the organic and natural elements of Shanghai. Through blue, we see the modern and futuristic elements of Shanghai – the gleaming metropolis of man-made ambition.

These three windows, these three colors, these three elements are intercut in the video art together with imagery of the element most crucial to any expression of a city: its people.

Together with red, green, blue lighting, the window spaces themselves are outfitted with light sculptures made of reflective materials. The elements of Shanghai presented in the video art content are further magnified and abstracted by their sculpted surroundings. Using light, mirrors, and kaleidoscopic animations, each window engages viewers in dazzling micro and macro renditions of Shanghai.