In conversation with Afterall’s Lucy Steeds, Hou Hanru discussed the exhibition ‘Cities on the Move’ (1997–2000), co-curated with Hans Ulrich Obrist. The discussion focused on Hou Hanru’s interest in the relationship between art and cities in this and related projects from the time, such as ‘Parisien(ne)s’ (1997) at Camden Arts Centre, London and ‘Hong Kong, etc.’ (1997), which formed part of the 2nd Johannesburg Biennale.

Initially developed for the 100th anniversary of Secession in Vienna, various versions of ‘Cities on the Move’ were, over the course of three years, installed at PS1, New York; CAPC musée d’art contemporain de Bordeaux; Louisiana, Humlebæk; Hayward Gallery, London; across the city of Bangkok and at Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, Helsinki. Hou Hanru reflected on each of these iterations, describing the overall project as ‘a touring institution rather than a touring exhibition’.

This series of events is a collaboration with the Whitechapel Gallery, London and part of the Exhibition Histories research and publication project, led by Afterall in collaboration with the Center for Curatorial Studies, Bard College.

To view video documentation click here.

Image: Hou Hanru. Courtesy Afterall.