Artist Gordon Cheung has turned the terrace at A. Wong into an interactive art installation, in partnership with Rémy Martin.
When Andrew Wong, Chef Patron of 2 Michelin starred restaurant A. Wong and multimedia artist, Gordon Cheung, heard that London would still be in lockdown for Chinese New Year 2021, they decided to put their heads together and find a different way of commemorating the festive occasion. The result? A beautiful, interactive art installation called ‘The Year of the Ox by Gordon Cheung’.
The piece of art, created in partnership with Rémy Martin, takes the form of a vinyl mural wrapped around the restaurant’s newly installed terrace and is open to be viewed and enjoyed by the public. The artwork is a sight to behold, but there’s even more to this mural than meets the eye… Download the ‘Year of the Ox’ app on your smartphone and scan the QR code on the work and you’ll find the art brought to life in stunning digital animation. Flowers will bloom and the ox will glisten and transform before your eyes!
Both Andrew and Gordon are British born Chinese, who share an interest in translating the ancient cultural symbolism of their history and culture into their present-day crafts. During this creative collaboration, they worked together to combine their knowledge, thoughts and nostalgia around Chinese New Year. And the result is a stunning installation, which marries the traditional symbolism of Chinese history and culture with modern day technology.
Within the mural you’ll find the flowering blossoms of Spring – the peony, representing wealth and honour, the lotus which signifies purity of heart, and the chrysanthemum as health and longevity. Peaches represent immortality, while the ox (rendered with Cheung’s signature glitch effect he calls the “digital sands of time”) stands for integrity. And across the work, Chinese lion dancers and bitcoins ward off evil spirits, spreading good health and prosperity.
It’s a piece of work created to celebrate new beginnings and spread a positive message for the year ahead. Gordon explains, “It’s been a tough time for many of us and Andrew and I wanted to offer a moment that could bring a smile to people […] we both thought it was important to give back to the community with a positive message of joy, good luck and to wish for health and prosperity for the new year.”
And while lockdown might mean we aren’t able to come together at Chinese New Year as we usually do, Andrew hopes the mural might be able to lift our spirits. Though the restaurant sadly remains closed during lockdown, the art installation adorning the outside terrace is a chance for Londoners to “find a moment of happiness, humanity and beauty”, says Andrew.
This Chinese New Year project has been created in partnership with Rémy Martin. The iconic Cognac has long been a supporter of craftsmanship, passion and excellence and shares Andrew and Gordon’s desire to spread a positive message and wishes of success and good fortune for the new year.
So, if you’re in the Pimlico area, keep an eye out for this beautiful art installation. And let’s hope that the Year of the Ox heralds a prosperous, bright and harmonious future for us all!
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