In One - Xing Ping, Guangxi, China, part of Pierre Sernet’s One series, the artist stages a Japanese tea ceremony within a minimalist cube against the dramatic karst landscape of Guangxi. The mist-covered mountains rise in the background, creating a mystical atmosphere that contrasts with the quiet intimacy of the tea ceremony. A local participant, seated in traditional attire with a straw hat resting nearby, engages in the ritual, embodying the fusion of Japanese and Chinese elements within this shared contemplative space. Meanwhile, a water buffalo grazes peacefully in the foreground, grounding the scene in the rural rhythms of Chinese countryside life.

The juxtaposition of ritual and nature highlights the adaptable and universal qualities of cultural traditions. The cube structure, a recurring element in Sernet's work, serves as both a sanctuary and a frame, creating a conceptual space where human interactions unfold within the boundless beauty of nature. Here, the tea ceremony’s structured calm mirrors the serene majesty of the karst landscape, as if the mountains themselves are silent witnesses to the exchange.

In One - Xing Ping, Guangxi, China, Sernet emphasizes the universal themes of connection, presence, and respect that transcend cultural origins. The water buffalo, a symbol of agrarian life and patience, enhances the scene’s harmony, reminding viewers of the interconnectedness between humans and the natural world. Sernet’s work underscores that, despite geographical differences, shared human values can create bridges between cultures, enriching each with the wisdom and beauty of the other. This piece, like others in the One series, celebrates the unity found in diversity, offering a moment of peace within a world of contrasts.