The house east of eden

The House East of Eden is an all-encompassing installation that takes over the entrance of KAFD Conference Center, playing on the glass-like structure and the ability to admire the work from inside as well as from the outside. Two neon pieces announce the title in English and Chinese at the entrance, accompanied by five stain-glass-like solid colors, on which lay five reproductions of Li Qing’s famous window paintings. These window paintings show an ambiguity between architecture of the past and the present. The artist sources window frames from destroyed houses, archives of an ever-moving world. On these vintage frames which have stylistic characteristics from the previous century, Li Qing paints landscapes of contemporary cities, showcasing current or future skyscrapers and stadiums. The installation acts as a bridge between ancient and contemporary metropolises, a bright kaleidoscope on today’s world and the way it rapidly transforms.

The house east of eden, 2023 © Li Qing
Commissioned by RCRC and Riyadh Art