‘The Moon is Leaving Us’ by Phoebe Hui
By Vivyan Yeo

Phoebe Hui, artist. Image courtesy of Audemars Piguet.

For the first time, the Audemars Piguet Art Commission will be realised in Asia by multidisciplinary artist Phoebe Hui. In collaboration with independent curator Ying Kwok, she will present a large-scale installation titled ‘The Moon is Leaving Us’ at Tai Kwun, Centre for Heritage and Arts in Hong Kong. Inspired by the increasing distance between the earth and moon, Hui’s work encourages viewers to investigate new perspectives about the world around us.

Early Moon drawings produced by Selena, for The Moon is Leaving Us, artwork by Phoebe Hui, commissioned by Audemars Piguet Contemporary. Image courtesy of the artist and Audemars Piguet.

‘The Moon is Leaving Us’ merges the personal and scientific – fields which are often seen in opposition to one another. Rooted in the personal, the piece was born from her experience along a moonlit road at Vallée de Joux, Audemars Piguet’s home in Switzerland. There, the moon provided the only source of light at nighttime, a sight that vastly differs from her usual view of the glimmering streets in Hong Kong. In her research, she then discovered that contrasting opinions likewise persist in scientific studies; representations of the moon are subjective depending on the choice of instruments, data and research angles. Indeed, the lack of ‘consistent truth’ in both everyday life and scientific examination reveals our limited understanding of the universe. “I knew that this was my time to explore this magical, celestial body,” Hui reflects. “And some of its facets are known to humanity and some are not.”

At once familiar and distant, the moon forms part of our daily landscape and yet, it is something that most of us will never reach. In Hui’s words, “The idea of togetherness and physical disconnection definitely has relevance today, when so many are far from their families and friends.” In light of the current pandemic, the moon may provide a glimpse of intimacy, as those who are separated from their loved ones find comfort in their view of the same, unchanging entity.

Phoebe Hui, artist (left) and Ying Kwok, curator (right). Image courtesy of Audemars Piguet.

Honouring Audemars Piguet’s belief in the power of art to connect, ‘The Moon is Leaving Us’ involves a large group of contributors who have helped to make the scientific knowledge more accessible. “The Audemars Piguet Contemporary team was incredibly helpful in facilitating introductions beyond my network, connecting me with scientists, engineers and even a former astronaut,” Hui shares. “As the work became more complex, I consulted them on technical aspects.” With her interest in research-based work and technology, Hui’s practice brings light to relatively unknown scientific inventions or truths. For this commission, she hopes that audiences will spend time considering the ideas behind it, and in the process gain new insights through contemporary art.

Curator Ying Kwok (foreground) and artist Phoebe Hui (background) with early Moon drawings produced by Selena, for The Moon is Leaving Us, commissioned by Audemars Piguet Contemporary. Image courtesy of Audemars Piguet.

Apart from expanding networks, the Audemars Piguet Contemporary team was instrumental in guiding Hui’s artistic approach throughout the project. In particular, Hui relates that Audemars Piguet Contemporary curator Audrey Teichmann and guest curator Kwok provided invaluable advice. Teichmann expresses that working with artists is a long-term relationship. “[It’s] important to go beyond the immediate collaboration, to follow the presentation of the artwork, and to support the artist in the continuation of their careers,” she explains in an interview with Noor Brara, Art and Design Editor at Artnet News. Kwok similarly revealed that she engaged with Hui’s work on a “deeper, more personal level” to contribute to the project.

Conceived through extensive research and fervent collaboration, ‘The Moon is Leaving Us’ will mark one of the largest installations in Hui’s career. She will join the list of other artists who have worked with Audemars Piguet Contemporary such as Cao Fei, Ryoji Ikeda, Cheng Ran, Xun Sun, and more. Being the first to be shown in Asia, this commission is a significant step forward in Audemars Piguet’s facilitation of a global dialogue.

‘The Moon is Leaving Us’ will be on view from 23 April to 23 May 2021 at Tai Kwun, Centre for Heritage and Arts.