Ten Thousand Waves Catalogue

Ten Thousand Waves is a 9-screen audiovisual installation shot on location in China. The work poetically weaves together stories linking China's ancient past and present. Through an architectural installation the work explores the movement of people across countries and continents and meditates on unfinished journeys. Conceived and made over four years, Ten Thousand Waves sees Julien collaborating with some of China's leading artistic voices, including: the legendary siren of Chinese cinema Maggie Cheung; rising star of Chinese film Zhao Tao; poet Wang Ping; master calligrapher Gong Fagen; artist Yang Fudong; acclaimed cinematographer Zhao Xiaoshi; and a 100-strong Chinese cast and crew. The film's original musical score is by fellow East Londoner Jah Wobble and The Chinese Dub Orchestra and Maria de Alvear.

The contents include a full reproduction of the photographic works in the Ten Thousand Waves series and installation shots from exhibitions of the 9-screen installation at Sydney, Shanghai and Helsinki. It contains essays by Professor Christopher Connery, Professor Mark Nash, Tokyo-based writer Andrew Maerkle, and curator of the current Shanghai Biennale, Gao Shiming, as well as the poems of Wang Ping. The book also encompasses a selection of Julien's research materials, including collected newspaper reports on the Morecambe Bay incident.

Isaac Julien Studio and Victoria Miro Gallery, 2010; Hardcover, 116 pages