Description

The first comprehensive retrospective exhibition of I.M. Pei (1917–2019), "I.M. Pei: Life is Like Architecture," will examine the works of this Chinese-American architectural master in detail. Pei's high-profile architectural projects spanned seven decades and spanned a vast area, including the East Building of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, the Grand Louvre in Paris, the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong, and the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha. These landmarks established I.M. Pei’s prominent position in architectural history and popular culture. His life and career were also intertwined by power relations, complex geopolitics, cultural traditions, and various urban styles around the world, forming a splendid and rich experience. His cross-cultural vision laid the foundation for the contemporary world.

This exhibition is divided into six major themes - "I.M. Pei's Cross-Cultural Heritage", "Real Estate and Urban Renewal", "Art and Public Architecture", "Power, Politics and Appreciation", "Material Improvement and Structural Innovation" and "Reinterpret history through design." These themes reflect how I.M. Pei navigates various regional and local contexts, uses architecture to create cultural production and construct public spaces, and explores new interpretations of tradition. These themes contrast I.M. Pei's works with society, culture and his life trajectory, showing that architecture and life are inseparable.

The exhibits will include a series of drawings, sketches, videos, models, photographs and various archival records, many of which are exposed for the first time. The exhibition also looks at Pei's work through a contemporary lens. It also displays a number of newly commissioned photos by a new generation of photographers, showing some of Pei's classic and lesser-known buildings. Participating photographers include He Zhaonan, Kubota Naho, Li Guomin, Giovanna. Silva, Mohammed. Samji, Fangfang Tian and Tomoko Yoneda. In addition, the exhibition collaborates with the School of Architecture at the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong to create models showing Pei’s built and unrealized projects.