Philippe Parreno Marquee, 2017

Philippe Parreno’s glass marquee was conceived on occasion of Synchronicity, the artist’s first solo exhibition in China, at the Rockbund Art Museum in Shanghai. This marquee is the first one in the artist’s series (2006–ongoing) to be completely made of glass and without emitting its own light. From the 126 carefully shaped (non-functioning) light-bulbs to the three chains holding the approximately 300-kilogram marquee to the wall, every detail of the structure has been produced in transparent glass.

Nine transducers (three fixed to the work and six hidden behind a fake white wall) connected to amplifiers placed in a control room, emit sound that makes the marquee vibrate, evoking the jingling sound of a glass chandelier. As part of the exhibition at Rockbund Art Museum, the work was connected to a program that controlled every variation of sound and light inside the exhibition. When installed on its own, the marquee’s vibrations are associated to a sound effect designed by the artist, that is played by the transducers.

Parreno’s marquees are based on American illuminated canopies used to announce theater or film performances since the beginning of the 20th century. Contrary to the artist’s previous marquees, this work doesn’t produce any electrical light. However, the convex shape of the light-bulbs refracts artificial light passing through them—giving the impression that they are lit from inside—casting beautiful shadows and caustics—the envelope of light rays reflected on their curved surface—on the walls and floor.