On June 19, 2025, VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC’ Founding Partner Li Chung (Sandi) Pei joined renowned contemporary artist Xu Bing for a public talk, “More than a Formal Dialogue—Xu Bing and Li Chung (Sandi) Pei on I. M. Pei, Art and Architecture” at Power Station of Art (PSA) in Shanghai. Co-organised by M+ and Power Station of Art (PSA) and moderated by M+ curator Shirley Surya, the conversation explored I. M. Pei’s interest in the art of his time, his engagement with artistic practices, and his collaborations with artists in the designs of his buildings. The well-received talk attracted around 400 onsite participants at the PSA Auditorium and 8,900 online audiences. 

Sandi Pei opened the discussion by reflecting on his father I. M Pei’s architectural philosophy and his lifelong collaborations with artists from diverse cultural backgrounds. He spoke of his father’s belief that art, architecture, people, and nature are deeply interconnected forms of expression, an outlook shaped by his childhood in Suzhou. To illustrate this point, Sandi used the project he collaborated with his father, Wiesner Building, Center for Arts and Media at MIT, as an example of how open dialogue between architects and artists can fuel creative experimentation and innovation.

Xu Bing followed with personal stories from his collaborations and friendship with I. M. Pei, including his commissioned works for the opening exhibition of Suzhou Museum and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States, as well as a memorable visit to Pei’s private art collection. Xu Bing’s anecdotes illustrated I. M. Pei’s creative working style, his deep respect for artists, and profound understanding of public art and architecture.

The Shanghai stop of I. M. Pei: Life Is Architecture, co-organised by PSA and M+, has welcomed nearly 80,000 visitors from Shanghai, across the country and around the world since its opening on April 26. In response to the overwhelming interest from visitors, the exhibition is extended until 10 August 2025. Following its Shanghai run, the exhibition will travel to Qatar Museums Gallery, Al Riwaq in Doha from November 2025 to February 2026 as the next stop of its world tour.