On a visit to the cathedral of St. John the Divine, you’ll see the exhibit Phoenix by Xu-Bing hanging in the nave of the epic cathedral, one of the largest in the world. The two birds that make up the Phoenix by artist Xu-Bing are each 90 to 100 feet long and weigh 12 tons. They’re made of waste from the many construction sites across Beijing, symbols of a rapidly changing urban landscape. In order to support the structures, metal wires are looped up through the “weep holes” (which drain water) and through the Guastavino tiled vaults. According to the St. John the Divine website, Xu-Bing has stated that: “The method is unsophisticated, like Chinese lanterns. At the same time it is also in keeping with the Western concept of ready-made assemblage. The entire process of creation forms an interactive relationship with the environment and Chinese society.” St. John the Divine contends that Phoenix is “at once… Read More