Co-commissioned by M+ and Art Basel, and presented by UBS, Yang Fudong’s new work Sparrow on the Sea is described by the artist as a site-specific ‘architectural film.’ Shot in Hong Kong, the black-and-white film weaves together scenes from seaside villages and nocturnal city streets. By referencing visual motifs and textures from classic Hong Kong cinema of the 1970s to the 1990s, Yang aims to evoke a sense of nostalgic familiarity. He invites the audience to fully immerse themselves in the ambient soundscapes of the city, which serve as a soundtrack to his moving images. The work is also intended to function as a short poem, blending moments from Hong Kong’s past and present to offer a glimpse into an unpredictable future.

The work will premiere with sound at M+ Cinema on 23 March, followed by an in-person conversation with the artist. 

‘I am grateful to have been invited by M+ and Art Basel to create this new work, marking my first site-specific project in Hong Kong. Crafting my moving image work for the city, set against its unique soundscape, is a tremendous privilege. Hong Kong, with its beauty and diversity, holds a special place in my heart as the birthplace of great movies and music from my childhood.’ —Yang Fudong