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Header image courtesy of M+ and Ted Dully/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
M+ is staging the first large-scale retrospective on the life and work of Ieoh Ming Pei. The late Chinese-American architect, better known as I M Pei, is remembered for striking creations, including Hong Kong’s very own Bank of China Tower, the pyramid of the Louvre in Paris, the Suzhou Museum, and the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha.
“I M Pei: Life Is Architecture” at M+ looks back on a groundbreaking career that spanned 70 years. Pei’s modern architectural style left its mark on contemporary pop culture, and his influence is showcased through the display of over 300 objects, including drawings, architectural models, film, photography, and more.
How did Pei’s upbringing influence his multi-cultural approach? How did he accomplish such engineering and technical ingenuity? What part did art play in his projects? Were there controversies surrounding his work? Addressing all of these topics, the exhibition spans six areas: “Pei’s Cross-Cultural Foundations,” “Real Estate and Urban Redevelopment,” “Art and Civic Form,” “Power, Politics, And Patronage,” “Material and Structural Innovation,” and “Reinterpreting History Through Design.”
Several screenings will be held at the M+ cinema, including the chance to see First Person Singular: I M Pei, a documentary tour of Pei’s architectural designs around the world. On opening day, a public talk with Pei’s son and close collaborators will be held for free at the M+ Grand Stair; the discussion will provide insights on the Bank of China Tower and Museum of Islamic Art projects, but also the Fragrant Hill hotel in Beijing. Tickets to the exhibition are on sale now. Get yours here.
Born and raised in the French countryside, Lily arrived in Hong Kong looking for an adventure. Passionate about books, she spent some time in Parisian publishing houses and is the author of an illustrated book about hair. Life in Hong Kong for her entails looking for seaside places to eat and a lot of hiking.
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