Xu Bing: Phoenix

This 18-minute documentary focuses on the artistic process behind Xu Bing's Phoenix installation. The film captures the artist’s two-year journey of creating two monumental birds made from materials sourced from construction sites in urban China. These materials include demolition debris, steel beams, tools, and elements reflecting the lives of migrant laborers.

The documentary showcases the interplay between labor, history, and commercial development in modern China. By documenting the installation's development and its eventual placement at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASSMoCA), the film provides insight into the artistic vision and social commentary that Xu Bing embodies through his work. The fierce and beautiful imagery of the Phoenixes serves as a poignant reflection on the rapid changes occurring in the country today.