The Fifth Night is a video installation composed of seven synchronised projections.

The videos feature old Shanghai scenes, as a large décor with carriages, rickshaws and vintage cars. In the middle of the scene is a stage, a few jars with fishes on a table and a tramway being frantically repaired, illuminating the space.

Vague views of people without any relationship to one another are shown – anxious, hesitating men and women sporadically positioned and attending to their own duties. A scene’s foreground can become the next scene’s background, a shot is wide and narrative, while the other depicts specific characters.

The long screen of seven projections has more relief than if it was in 3D, and is more complete. Facing seven cameras, actors’ expressions in each objective and shot are uncontrollable. This kind of randomness presents a certain subtle and unpredictable aesthetic.

The idea behind this work came from a reflection on film production, and a new filming method was used for the video installation: seven projections, going far beyond our visual field and habits – Yang Fudong calls it “multiple views film”.

The most important part in the production of this piece is the inspiration of the actors, as well as viewers’ feelings of the space. The artist unified this work by manoeuvring its inner and external feelings.

Medium: Video installation

Size: 280cm x 151cm per screen

Equipment: 7 screens

December 12, 2011 – January 8, 2012