Shunde Museum of Art: The Ultimate of Light and Shadow, Circle and Spiral.

Tadao Ando's works in China are few and far between, the most familiar of which is the Poly Grand Theater in Shanghai. Occasionally passing by the "square box" by the water, the light and shadow change, but it never gets old. So, other works by Tadao Ando were added to the destination wish list early on, and since we were in the Greater Bay Area, the Heyri Art Valley in Shunde and Ando's later works were not to be missed. If you have a little understanding of Tadao Ando, you should know that from his famous work "Row House in Sumiyoshi" to the highly representative "Church of the Light" trilogy, there are few architects who can create complete original composite buildings with circular shapes, especially those with super large volumes. The geometric shapes of the Shanghai Poly Grand Theater are diverse, and the circular shape is only a small supporting role inside. Therefore, the reason why this house and art museum are stunning is because Ando has finally broken through the past and consistently integrated the element of "circle". The highlight is the "dynamic column" at the center, the world's first double-helix concrete staircase, spiraling up like DNA, which proves that he has a further advanced understanding and expression of the "circle". Like everyone who comes here, I also like to follow the spiral staircase to the ground floor, look up at the circular dome of the art museum, and see the beautiful curve of the double spiral staircase like a snail shell in front of me, which changes with the light and height. Ando's thorough understanding and manipulation of light can be seen. This is an art museum that is enough to make people stay for a long time just by the venue itself. The traditional Chinese concept of "round sky and square earth" is combined with the characteristics of Lingnan traditional architecture. The five layers of the main building "round" overlap and interweave, and each layer is empty, extending outward like water ripples. This kind of challenge to tradition asymmetry brings dynamic and rhythm to the entire building. Echoing the "circle" of the art museum, the circle of water outside the main building is also an eye-catching work. Only a narrow and straight path remains as a passage. In the pool, there is a silver tree, a masterpiece by American artist Roxy Paine. "It is dead, but full of vitality, and blends Eastern and Western art in the museum." On the first floor of the art museum, you can take a look at Liu Ye's "Broadway Stories" and Zhang Enli's "Pastry Chef". You can also grab a cup of ARABICA from Heytea or walk further inside to see a painting of Zhou Chunya's "Green Dog" hanging in the corner. Zhou Chunya is currently the youngest and most expensive living artist on the Hurun Art List. Strolling around, I suddenly remembered a sentence from my favorite architect Tadao Ando: "Architecture is inevitably accompanied by light and shadow. So is life. There are difficult and cloudy days, but there will inevitably be bright days behind them." Deeply agree.