hyper-realistic humans + animals by sun yuan & peng yu take over the st. regis in rome

galleria continua presents an exhibition of work by chinese artistic duo sun yuan & peng yu that spans the entrance of rome’s st. regis hotel. titled ‘if I died’, the exhibition occupies the lobby of the hotel until april 26, 2020 — serving as an invitation for guests to interact with the hyper-realistic sculptures. welcoming guests at the entrance, ‘I didn’t notice what I am doing’ (2012) comprises a fiberglass rhinoceros and triceratops. standing next to each other, the viewer automatically establishes false connections and similarities between the two animals that are not related by any scientific relevance.

teenager teenager (2011) | simulation of sculpture, sofa, simulation of stone (also main image)
all images by ela bialkowska, OKNO studio, courtesy of the artist and galleria continua

displayed at the center of the st. regis rome’s lobby is ‘if I died’ (2013) — a human figure with half-closed eyes and a dreamy look. portraying peng yu’s mother, the sculpture appears to float alongside dozens of different animals, symbolizing how the woman imagines herself in a lifetime after death. moving towards the LUMEN cocktails & cuisine area, the guest is invited to reflect on the limits of communication, on generational conflicts, but also on the possibility of changing and protecting what we have. ‘teenager teenager’ (2011) comprises a series of well-dressed figures are lying on leather sofas, with a bulky boulder on their heads that prevents them from seeing.

teenager teenager (2011) | simulation of sculpture, sofa, simulation of stone

internationally renowned for the destabilizing and provocative nature of their works and for the use of unique materials, sun yuan & peng yu started collaborating as a pair in the late 1990s. their work focuses on the constant confirmation of the paradox, on the perpetual research for the duality between black and white, between reality and lies, between the obvious and the hidden. their works are the demonstration of a constant analysis of life through the experience in which the public is often invited to take part in, in the desire to find the essence and substance that hides behind appearances. see more of the duo’s work on designboom here.

teenager teenager (2011) | simulation of sculpture, sofa, simulation of stone

if I died | exhibition views, the st. regis rome, 2020

if I died (2013) | fiberglass, silica gel, simulation sculpture

if I died | exhibition views, the st. regis rome, 2020

if I died (2013) | fiberglass, silica gel, simulation sculpture

if I died (2013) | fiberglass, silica gel, simulation sculpture

if I died (2013) | fiberglass, silica gel, simulation sculpture

I didn’t notice what I am doing (2012)
fiberglass sculptures: triceratops sculpture, rhinoceros sculpture
triceratops sculpture dimension: 400 x 190 x 120 cm | rhinoceros sculpture dimension: 300 x 160 x 120 cm

I didn’t notice what I am doing (2012)
fiberglass sculptures: triceratops sculpture, rhinoceros sculpture
rhinoceros sculpture dimension: 300 x 160 x 120 cm

I didn’t notice what I am doing (2012)
fiberglass sculptures: triceratops sculpture, rhinoceros sculpture
triceratops sculpture dimension: 400 x 190 x 120 cm