Edible art by Song Dong offers a taste of destruction

That's because his forthcoming solo exhibition in London features a site-specific installation and interactive performance, 'Eating the City', in which visitors are invited to eat the installation itself.

It's not just a gimmick, but aims to make a serious point. “The purpose of my work is for the city I build to be destroyed," the artist explains. "As cities in Asia grow, old buildings are knocked down and new ones built, almost every day. Some cities have even been built from scratch in 20 years.

"My city will be built of sweets and biscuits, making it tempting and delicious. When we are eating the city we are using our desire to taste it, but at the same time, we’re demolishing the city and turning it into a ruin.”

The exhibit will be featured in the opening week of the exhibition, titled 'Same Bed Different Dreams', which takes place at Pace Gallery from 1 October -5 November.

For three decades, Song Dong has been at the forefront of Chinese contemporary art. Using a wide range of media, including performance, photography, video, sculpture, installation and calligraphy, his work explores the intricate connection between life and art, and confronts notions of memory, impermanence, waste, consumerism and the urban environment. 'Same Bed Different Dreams', refers to Song Dong’s continual return to the same core ideas via a variety of methods.

For more information, visit the Pace Gallery website.