He An: Do You Think You Can Help Her Brother?

Overview

If you weren't already aware, Asia TOPA (or the Asia-Pacific Triennial of Performing Arts) is on show citywide across Melbourne, celebrating the best of Asian contemporary arts. As part of the massive program, ACCA is hosting a major neon installation by Chinese artist He An entitled Do You Think You Can Help Her Brother? Working closely with neon signs throughout his extensive career, He An has brought his collection of luminous letters to Melbourne, which have been removed from various Beijing shopfronts.

Simultaneously exploring changes to the built environment of the Chinese capital, social media, language and storytelling, He An contends that "in the city, what we say in our little apartment is not important," but rather, "what is important is the words the neon lights project onto us". Installed on the ACCA's northern façade, the work will be on show 24 hours a day until April 23.