Below — Steve Messam

Below / 下

‘Below / 下’ -

‘Below’ is a site-specific installation commissioned by UCCA Lab. Designed in response to the architectural features of Chengdu's Tianfu Art Park, the work is presented beneath two pedestrian bridges within the park. Employing Messam’s signature medium of large-scale inflatable structures, the installation offers a unique interpretation of the art season's theme, "Rong Rong," that symbolizes the vibrant spirit of Chengdu.

The installation features a massive inflatable structure that stretches between the bridge deck and the ground. Its striking, radiating form and vivid, dynamic colors evoke the blooming of the hibiscus flower, encapsulating the cultural vitality and ever-growing energy of the city. Beyond its bold aesthetic presence, the installation ingeniously forms a passageway beneath the bridge, inviting visitors to walk through and immerse themselves, becoming part of the artwork.

‘Below’ seeks to draw attention to the lively flow of people beneath the bridge. The abstract "hibiscus flowers,” intertwined with the continuous movement of Chengdu’s residents, create a uniquely picturesque landscape. By blending art and human interaction, the artist conveys a powerful message: Chengdu itself is a living artwork.