Arts Thread

Generality series presents a visualisation addressing (being) the subject of generalisation. “All Asians look the same,” is a line that produces mixed feelings in many; a shadow that was never ours, but which we’re taught to grow accustomed to. Personally, I’m still learning how to keep it at an arm’s length. Its implications are not automatically categorised as racism. Shy claims that rather affirms consent- and approves generalisation, regardless of whose comfort is being tested. The work features a ‘collection’ of 37 Asian-appearing faces; who share similarities (and differences) with the artist. Despite their own respective backgrounds, together they symbolise a generalised Asian-identity. Through a play with aesthetics: such as the quickly assessed indistinguishable clothing- and colours, that upon closer inspection displays not a single identical article; Xiaoli O. Chang ? shifts the viewer back- and forth between seeing a collective as one — to coming face-to-face with each individual. A trick question-, rhetorical- or as an attempt to realise: Do you know our differences? Do you know yours?