A Small Pond Under the Blue Sky

Special Special Projects 2016–2022

A Small Pond Under the Blue Sky is a reflection and celebration of the 98 artist collaborations, through 37 exhibitions, performances, and workshops. A record of the pop-ups and product editions conceptualized and presented in our East Village space and beyond from 2016 to 2022. This anthology includes interviews with artists collaborators Aria McManus, Tim Simonds, and Lu Zhang, and personal reflections on collaborations and creativity with the founder and director Wen-You Cai. This collection of thoughts guide readers through a contemplation of creative experiments with art and the everyday.

Edited by Wen-You Cai & Lin King
Designed by Panny Chayapumh
Edition of 500
2023
 

PURCHASE

Rooster, Tiger, Sheep by Snake

This is a photo book by Wen-You Cai, that captures her father, mother, and sister over a period of twelve years. Tracing the dynamics of these three immediate members of her family through travels, jet-lag, at parties, at work, on vacation, and at home. These vibrant images follow intimate moments of play, ritualistic practices, and emotional ennui.

Produced on the occasion of Tiger, Rooster, Sheep, by Snake, Wen-You's first solo photography exhibition at MGM COTAI, Macau in 2019.

English and Traditional Chinese
Translation by Lin King
Designed by Seokhoon Choi
Produced by MGM China Holdings Limited
Edition of 1000
2019


PURCHASE

When You Make No Art 

An autobiographical account of growing up in the art world. Each chapter holds inspirations and vignettes from museums, travels, and random encounters around the world that inspired the formation of Special Special as an art project space and retail shop. Cai conceptualizes the idea of a “reluctant artist”, or someone who is immersed in the arts but having trouble making work. Foreword by Amy Chua

Designed by Seokhoon Choi
First Edition of 300, Yellow Pages, 2016
Second Edition of 500, Green Pages, 2019


PURCHASE

可不可以不艺术

When You Make No Art
Chinese Edition

An autobiographical account of growing up in the art world. Each chapter holds inspirations and vignettes from museums, travels, and random encounters around the world that inspired the formation of Special Special as an art project space and retail shop. Cai conceptualizes the idea of a “reluctant artist”, or someone who is immersed in the arts but having trouble making work. Foreword by Amy Chua

Translated from English to Chinese by Boliang Shen
Published by Imaginst Press, China
2015

PURCHASE

At This Point at If and Wen

Exhibition Catalogue of At this Point featuring works by CJ Hill, Midge Wattles and ST Luk. 

Designed by Seokhoon Choi
Edition of 100
2014

Guest Wall

An Anthology of House Guests

Instax photos of every person that entered Wen-You’s apartment between May 23, 2013 – May 23, 2014

Designed by Seokhoon Choi
Edition of 100, numbered on the last page
2014