Sunrise in the East

Sunrise in the East is a site-specific public artwork created by AaRT and artist Ilker Yardimci for Poly Development’s OPUS ONE, located along the Huangpu River in Shanghai. Adjacent to the Huangpu River and Expo Culture Park, the work occupies a significant node in Shanghai’s urban development. Following the internationalization of the Bund and the rise of Lujiazui as a global financial center, the 2010 Shanghai World Expo marked the city’s third major wave of transformation, on a site that continues to embody China’s vision for the future and the possibilities of urban development.

Responding to this unique urban context, *Sunrise in the East* draws inspiration from the sunrise over the Huangpu River and the spiritual symbolism of “sunrise” in Eastern culture, translating renewal, hope, and the radiance of an era into spatial expression. The work seeks to capture the city’s forward momentum while exploring the evolving relationship between nature, time, and urban life.

At the heart of the design is the dynamic interaction of light, tides, and the surrounding environment. Through its transparent structure and mirrored stainless-steel surface, the work continuously changes with the angle of sunlight, reflections on the river, weather, and the passage of time. Rather than remaining a static sculpture, it acts as a dynamic medium that grows with its environment, transforming natural changes into an evolving spatial experience.

As an extension of the architecture and public realm, *Sunrise in the East* engages in an ongoing dialogue with the surrounding buildings, waterfront landscape, and city skyline. As visitors move and pause within the space, they experience the interplay of light, city, and nature, turning the public realm into a place where people connect with the city’s collective memory.

*Sunrise in the East* responds to Shanghai’s spirit of continual innovation and growth while carrying the narrative of the Huangpu River from history toward the future. By bringing art, architecture, and nature together within one site, it becomes a public landmark connecting the era, the city, and its people.