Mandy Wong
Mandy Wong's practice is intrinsically linked to her root as a Hong Konger. She works in primarily digital but includes film photography, performance, and social practice while considering interaction and participation as shared elements. She investigates dilemmas as represented from personal confessions, expanding this to questions on life trajectory, belonging, and system.
Links
The Rebel 2019, HTML create-your-own-adventure text-based game
Artist Statement
Witnessing the handover of Hong Kong from Britain to China, my personal growth was filled with dilemmas and increasing suppression. The freedom and local culture gained from the struggle in the colonial period has gradually been replaced with empty words supported by invisible hegemonic violence. I pursue a nonsensical or hilarious, yet not humorous version of living with the predicament. I intend to explore the vulnerability, resistance, and frustration that I believe are cross-culturally identifiable to people's struggles for autonomy.
Through the lens of journalists, I remain connected to my home from a distanced place; at the same time, I become a foreigner. I use chroma key green color to reveal the face behind what has been portrayed on the surface. The virtual world brings me back to my home beyond space and time.
Through the lens of journalists, I remain connected to my home from a distanced place; at the same time, I become a foreigner. I use chroma key green color to reveal the face behind what has been portrayed on the surface. The virtual world brings me back to my home beyond space and time.
Letter to Hong Kong Protesters and You
To the protesters in Hong Kong, for whom I wish to be hands and feet; to the people who are seeing these words,
I apologize for my attempt and failure to be objective, that the work takes off from my stance, fear, and belief.
I apologize for being in a distant safe place while claiming myself fraternal.
I apologize for not expecting a victory, yet pushing the crowds to continue and to escalate.
I apologize for my ignorance of the meaning of autonomy, democracy, and freedom that I am fighting for.
I apologize for enjoying a privilege to ensure my safety, at the same time having a desire to suffer.
I apologize that during the protests I incurred no physical wounds, that I was not beaten, arrested, raped, or forced to commit apparent suicide, and that I received no personal threat.
I apologize for the fact that I am mentally and physically inferior to fully grasp your pain.
I apologize for being proud of my Hongkonger identity, at the same time aspiring to get the American nationality.
I apologize for using the feelings and wounds of others to speak for me.
I apologize for not being communicative in my primary language, and that I steal the words from Rabih MroueÌ to complete these very words.
I apologize because I dislike the place I was born in and only miss the time, the sound, the air, and the mood when we protest.
I apologize for any potential and unverifiable lies allowed to take place between me and my participants.
I must insist, however, that what I heard, saw, and acknowledged are the respectful Truth.
I apologize for my attempt and failure to be objective, that the work takes off from my stance, fear, and belief.
I apologize for being in a distant safe place while claiming myself fraternal.
I apologize for not expecting a victory, yet pushing the crowds to continue and to escalate.
I apologize for my ignorance of the meaning of autonomy, democracy, and freedom that I am fighting for.
I apologize for enjoying a privilege to ensure my safety, at the same time having a desire to suffer.
I apologize that during the protests I incurred no physical wounds, that I was not beaten, arrested, raped, or forced to commit apparent suicide, and that I received no personal threat.
I apologize for the fact that I am mentally and physically inferior to fully grasp your pain.
I apologize for being proud of my Hongkonger identity, at the same time aspiring to get the American nationality.
I apologize for using the feelings and wounds of others to speak for me.
I apologize for not being communicative in my primary language, and that I steal the words from Rabih MroueÌ to complete these very words.
I apologize because I dislike the place I was born in and only miss the time, the sound, the air, and the mood when we protest.
I apologize for any potential and unverifiable lies allowed to take place between me and my participants.
I must insist, however, that what I heard, saw, and acknowledged are the respectful Truth.
The Fragile Eggs: Testimony of the Hong Kong Protests
Test performance piece of the narratives collected from the protesters. The full project will be launched at the end of 2020.
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A digital performance on struggle as an alien.
The Fragile Eggs: Testimony of the Hong Kong Protests (Context)
A documentation of the ongoing archival and performative project for the Hong Kong Protests.