Paradise Interrupted Scaled
glass box, paper gardens, paint
Edition of 40 made on the occasion of the Asian Cultural Council 50th Anniversary Gala
New York, NY
November 18, 2014

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On the occasion of the Asian Cultural Council 50th Anniversary Gala, glass cube centerpieces created by ACC Fellow Jennifer Wen Ma adorn each table. The cubes have the appearance of weathered mirror with silver and gold undertones. Atop the cubes are sculptures made from black paper speckled with gold that are cut and composed to form a bustling garden or an abstract blossom. 

These limited edition centerpiece sculptures are scaled model studies of the stage design for Paradise Interrupted, a new installation opera inspired by the Garden of Eden and Peony Pavilion. This 80-minute production that bridges performance, installation, and technology, was conceived and is directed by Jennifer Wen Ma. A brand new composition by Huang Ruo uses the 600-year old Chinese operatic tradition Kunqu with contemporary western music. The opera centers on a woman in search of an unattainable ideal, and her lone voice activates various elements of the opera through the use of interactive technology. The work will premier at the Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston, SC in May 2015.

The creative process of work-shopping Paradise Interrupted was generously supported by ACC during the 2013 calendar year. This edition of sculptural objects is made especially for the occasion, celebrating ACC’s ongoing support for the elusive but utmost essential process of creating new artwork. These pieces are available for acquisition by gala attendees and proceeds would support the Asian Cultural Council’s future programming.