Jes Fan

Systems II, 2018. Composite resin, glass, melanin, estradiol, depo-testosterone, silicone, wood.

Fan prompts the audience to think about the materiality of race and gender. For example, the idea of melanin as a biochemical that determines social identity.

The Lottery of Identity

When under someone else’s gaze, many factors determine how you are viewed. Your style, demeanor, mood. However, some key aspects that determine perception are things one is born with. For example, the colour of your skin, your sex, and your sexuality. Jes Fan explores the materiality of these genetics, highlighting the absurdity of chance predetermining how we are able to walk the world. Particularly for queer people in Hong Kong, this experience has many challenges as Monique Yim depicts in her performance.