Set in a virtual recreation of the gallery spaces of Two Temple Place, the neo-Gothic mansion built by William Waldorf Astor in the 1890s, Every dollar is a soldier/With money you’re a dragon is an immersive new production directed by An-Ting Chang and designed by Christine Urquhart.
It explores the migrant experience, from the poorest of Chinese sailors who jumped ship in the East End to the richest of families such as the Astors. Audiences of twenty—who can see each other in their shared online space—choose an avatar for their 45-minute experience.
As the gallery doors shut, the ghostly figure of artist and singer-songwriter Chloe Wing leads the audience through the virtual galleries singing her ethereal songs. Audiences will also experience performances by choreographer and dancer Si Rawlinson and musicians Wang Xiao and Cheng Yu, playing An-Ting Chang’s score on traditional Chinese instruments. Astor, played by Daniel York Loh, narrates.
The performances are part of the digital exhibition at CAN x TWO TEMPLE PLACE featuring artworks by Jasmin Kent Rodgman, Donald Shek and Chloe Wing, which has been extended until 30 April.