The Moody Center for the Arts at Rice University launches its fall 2024 season with “Do Ho Suh: In Process,” an exhibition that takes visitors inside the artist’s studio, highlighting his unique collaborative practice that often blends art and engineering.
“I am a hugely process-driven artist,” Suh said. “This exhibition is something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time. Much of the work I exhibit I consider to be part of larger processes, whether mental or physical, and for me it is about that process as much as it is about the outcome. It takes an institution like the Moody to present an exhibition as unusual as this one — it’s a gift as an artist.”
In addition to finished works and studio materials, central to this presentation is “The Bridge Project,” a decades-long endeavor in which the internationally renowned artist partnered with researchers, architects, designers and engineers, including Rice civil engineering students, to design conceptual bridges connecting his homes in Seoul, South Korea, New York and London.
“Do Ho came to us with the idea of designing a bridge for this deeply personal project,” said Kalil Erazo, assistant teaching professor in civil and environmental engineering. “He wanted a structure that wasn’t just about functionality, but that also embodied an aesthetic expression and cultural significance, and at the same time could be realizable under the current state-of-the-art in structural and bridge engineering.”
Rice’s student contributions to this multiyear project highlight the intersection of art and engineering where creative collaboration and structural integrity meet. Suh worked with students to address the practical challenges of building a bridge capable of withstanding oceanic environments and supporting human life.
“We wanted the students to appreciate the artistic and humanistic components of the project,” Erazo said. “This wasn’t just about designing a bridge — it was about creating something that had a societal and cultural impact and harnessing the inter-disciplinary collaboration between a world-renowned artist and our engineering team.”
Alison Weaver, the Moody’s Suzanne Deal Booth Executive Director, emphasized the significance of this collaborative effort.
“Do Ho Suh has always worked closely with architects and engineers to bring his visions to life,” Weaver said. “Here at Rice, we were thrilled to provide an opportunity for our students to be part of such an interdisciplinary and forward-thinking project. The results are extraordinary.”
The models drafted by the students will be displayed in the Moody’s Central Gallery alongside Suh’s drawings and videos. These works demonstrate not only the technical prowess of the engineering team but also the artist’s ability to incorporate personal narratives into large-scale infrastructure.
“This collaboration showed students that civil engineering can be about more than just safety, resilience, and sustainability,” Erazo said. “It can also convey emotions, cultural values and the broader societal impacts that Suh’s work embodies. Engineering and art are in parallel trajectories, and it is argued that there is a common way of thinking between artists and engineers.”
“In Process” showcases a variety of Suh’s other works, including life-size rubbings, sculptures and maquettes in the Brown Foundation Gallery. One notable piece is “Inverted Monument,” a sculpture that invites viewers to consider themes of history, commemoration and the evolving role of civic art. The exhibition invites visitors into the artist’s studio, providing a glimpse of his iterative, experimental process.
“It’s an exciting space that reflects both Suh’s creativity and the intellectual rigor we encourage here at Rice,” Weaver said.
At its core, “In Process” offers a rare opportunity to engage with an artist’s creative journey.
“For people familiar with Do Ho’s work, they’ll see a very personal side of him in this exhibition,” Weaver said. “And for newcomers, there’s a lot to connect with, whether it’s the conceptual bridge designs or the immersive studio experience.”
“Do Ho Suh: In Process” was curated by Weaver and is made possible by the Moody Center for the Arts Founders Circle and the Libbie Rice Shearn Moody Fund for the Arts. Major support is provided by the Elizabeth Lee Moody Excellence Fund for the Arts and the Thomas D. and Pamela Riley Smith Endowment for the Moody Center for the Arts. Additional support is provided by the city of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance.
Learn more about the exhibition, which is on display until Dec. 21, here.