So far the Self project has taken us deep inside the psyche of Saint Laurent through the eyes of four artists presented by Anthony Vaccarello. It began with a special commission of Japanese photographer Daido Moriyama’s work at last year’s Paris Photo, followed by a photo wall created by Vanessa Beecroft presented in Miami for Art Basel. Next up author Bret Easton Ellis put his sexy spin on the project, directing a short film that was screened at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, before things got witchy with Gaspar Noé‘s split-screen film Lux Aeterna, which showed at the Palais in Cannes in May. The hotly-awaited fifth chapter transports us into intense introspection and desire for self-expression through A Night in Shanghai.
Curated by Chinese artist and film director Wong Kar Wai and directed by Hong Kong-based photographer Wing Shya, the short film will be presented via an immersive screen-installation at Yuz Museum in Shanghai’s art district. A Night in Shanghai is set against the backdrop of the city, where the contemporary spirit of Saint Laurent’s fantasy melds with the built-up Shanghai skyline. The dreamlike story centres around the pink-haired character played by Chinese model Ju Xiaowen, who is trying to “break the balance” in reality by juxtaposing both the past and the present in her quest for identity, fuelled by a pressing need for individuality. “Saint Laurent is unique, distinctive among high fashion. Anthony loves art and his designs worn gorgeously, and stays independent,” explains Wong Kar Wai. “Saint Laurent is always about ‘breaking the balance’ in this era, like no one else, the brand is brave in expressing itself.” Whilst you wait for the film’s release, a short teaser has been released on Saint Laurent’s YouTube channel, available to watch below. Stay tuned.
‘A Night in Shanghai’ will be exclusively presented from 22nd–24th of November in an immersive screen-installation at Yuz Museum, Shanghai.
