The Peranakan Museum will present its first major contemporary installation, Luminous Depths, by the international artist Lee Mingwei. Lee’s new project has been specifically conceived for the space and collection of the Peranakan Museum, and was inspired by his first visit to the museum in 2011.

Luminous Depths explores the idea of collecting, and raises questions about how a museum develops. The artist invites visitors to participate in his work in a unique way. They are inspired to think about objects, memories and how they are preserved.

The installation is a three story cylindrical structure within the atrium of the Peranakan Museum. On entering visitors will be able to hear a Schubert Lied (art song) being played from the top of the atrium. Visitors can choose and purchase a ceramic object and walk with it through the museum. Once they reach the third floor there is a large hoop that is suspended over the void of the atrium. The participants are invited to toss their chosen ceramic object into the void.

Image: © Lee Mingwei, Peranakan Museum