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Linda Pace Foundation presents TEN THOUSAND WAVES by Isaac Julien

The Linda Pace Foundation presents a special three-screen edition of TEN THOUSAND WAVES by Isaac Julien. February 17 – June 30, 2012, by appointment.


Green Screen Goddess Triptych (Ten Thousand Waves) (Detail), 2010, Linda Pace Foundation

TEN THOUSAND WAVES was filmed on location in China and poetically weaves together stories linking China’s ancient past and present. The work explores the movement of people across countries and continents and meditates on unfinished journeys. Conceived and created over four years, Julien collaborated with some of China’s leading artistic voices, including: the legendary siren of Chinese cinema Maggie Cheung; rising star of Chinese film Zhao Tao; poet Wang Ping; master calligrapher Gong Fagen; artist Yang Fudong; acclaimed cinematographer Zhao Xiaoshi; and a 100-strong Chinese cast and crew. The original musical score is by Julien’s fellow East Londoner Jah Wobble and the Chinese Dub Orchestra, as well as contemporary classical composer Maria de Alvear.

“The original inspiration for TEN THOUSAND WAVES was the Morecambe Bay tragedy of 2004, in which 23 Chinese cockle-pickers died,” says Julien. ”The work links the Shanghai of the past and present, symbolizing the Chinese transition towards modernity, aspiration and affluence – the so-called ‘Better Life.’ I employed the visual language of ghost stories, with recurrent figures and images appearing and disappearing.”

TEN THOUSAND WAVES crosses the boundaries of past and present, fiction and reality, and feature film and documentary. Connecting social, psychological, aesthetic, mythic, and spiritual dimensions, Julien engages the viewer with poetic beauty while encouraging the critical inquiry of Western-centric cultural globalization.

Concurrent with Julien’s TEN THOUSAND WAVES, the Linda Pace Foundation also presents TERRAIN, Selected Works from the Linda Pace Foundation Collection. The exhibition includes twenty-one works by sixteen artists, including three works by Isaac Julien. TERRAIN, Selected Works from the Linda Pace Foundation Collection is on view from February 17 – March 31, 2012.

Visitors must make arrangements in advance of their prospective visit by contacting the Foundation and submitting a request including a date and time to visit. Ideally visits occur Wednesday to Friday between noon and 5:00 PM. To request an appointment please email: [email protected].

The exhibition Isaac Julien TEN THOUSAND WAVES is organized by the Linda Pace Foundation, with special thanks to Isaac Julien and the Isaac Julien Studio.

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