American Masters “I.M. Pei: Building China Modern”

Pictured: I.M. Pei

Credit: Bing Lin, Pei Partnership Architects

This film follows the seven-and-a-half-year personal and architectural journey from west to east, a literal coming home of architect I.M. Pei.

Noted architect I.M. Pei, who left his native China in the 1930s, was invited to design a modern museum to house the antiquities of Suzhou, where he grew up. This film follows his seven-and-a-half-year personal and architectural journey from west to east, a literal coming home — a realization of Pei’s lifelong dream, but also his biggest challenge and a work that he defines as “my biography.” The program includes commentary from local residents, design specialists, Suzhou officials and a stellar array of architects, designers and scholars commenting on Pei’s life and work. American Masters “I.M. Pei: Building China Modern” airs Wednesday, May 2 at 6 p.m. on WXXI World (DT 21.2/cable 524).