We were lucky to catch up with Jiaoyang Li Li recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jiaoyang Li, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Recently, I’ve been immersed in creating a drag video poetry piece, an artistic endeavor that I had the opportunity to showcase last year at the BAX Art Center. This piece is a deep exploration of dualities and transitions, examining the concept of having two spirits. It delves into the experiences of living between languages, countries, and borders, capturing the essence of a transient, yet profound identity.

At the heart of this work is a blend of mixed media. I’ve incorporated video footage from Chinese mannequin factories, juxtaposed against my personal videos of making puppets. This contrast creates a rich tapestry of imagery that challenges and redefines our notions of authenticity. It’s a journey through visual storytelling, where the mannequins, often seen as soulless replicas, become a metaphor for the exploration of self and identity.

This piece is more than just a visual spectacle; it’s a narrative about self-discovery and staying true to one’s creative spirit. By reimagining and remapping these elements, I aim to question and redefine what it means to be authentic. It’s a reflection on how we, as creators and individuals, can navigate the complex landscapes of our identities and experiences, and how we can find our own unique voice amidst the myriad influences that shape us.

This work is a testament to the power of creative expression in transcending conventional boundaries. It speaks to the fluidity of identity and the continuous process of self-redefinition. In creating this piece, I hope to inspire others to embrace their own journeys of self-exploration and to find the courage to be true to their own creative visions, irrespective of the external molds and expectations that seek to define us.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a poet who sometimes writes video game scripts, theatre plays, and prose texts to be installed in art installations. I love playing with text across different mediums and engaging with various audience groups. My mission is to break the boundaries of text art and bring writing to new fun places.

In the past year, I’ve been deeply engaged in two particularly exciting projects. The first, titled “How I Disappeared,” is a multimedia object-performance project that draws inspiration from Italo Calvino’s “Invisible Cities.” It’s a collaborative effort involving six female Asian immigrant artists. Together, we create a dynamic cityscape, infused with our unique experiences and perspectives. This project ranges from the intimate to the grand and spans the physical to the digital, exploring the poetic subtleties of urban life where dreams are both nurtured and sometimes crushed. It features original immigrant stories, live music, poetry, AR puppetry, and interactive installations, offering a rich, multi-sensory experience.
In the theatre project “How I Disappeared,” I find solace in the ability to conceal myself behind objects and puppets. Through them, my poems and voice find a unique expression, granting me greater freedom in storytelling. The puppetry becomes a medium through which my creativity flows unrestrained.

My second project is a video game called “Go to Sea,” which marks a significant shift from my previous focus on simulations and computational projects. This retro pixel narrative game is set in 1990s China, a period of intense privatization. Players follow Xiao Kang, a young man working in a bathhouse in a northern Chinese industrial town. This bathhouse, a hub for the local community, becomes a lens through which players witness the transformation of the town and its inhabitants. “Go to Sea” is more than just a game; it’s a window into the lives of people grappling with the whirlwind of modernization, highlighting their internal conflicts and struggles. Our team is dedicated to delivering an emotionally engaging story that authentically captures the essence of life in 80s/90s China, showcasing the blend of violence, sadness, and happiness characteristic of that era. Writing this game, allows me to delve into the past, reliving the lives of my parents’ generation and offering them new narratives. This project holds a special place in my heart as it not only revisits but reimagines the past, breathing new possibilities into the experiences of that era.

Both projects, distinct in their mediums and narratives, represent significant milestones in my journey as a writer and artist, They allow me to explore different facets of storytelling, from the hidden depths behind a puppet to the pixelated memories of a bygone era.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I remember two years ago, when we announced our open call for creative writing professors and editors to join my company. We received applications from many senior editors hailing from prestigious publishing houses like Penguin Random House and HarperCollins, as well as professors from esteemed colleges. Notably, a large number of these applicants were older white males. I know the game is changed. Also for the past year, I had the honor of being invited to deliver talks at several MFA programs, the British Library, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and being interviewed by the top newspaper like People’s Daily, Art Forum, Hyperallergic and others. These engagements stand out as highlights, offering unique platforms to share my insights and connect with diverse audiences in the world

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I steer clear of cutthroat competition, either in poetry or art, preferring instead to engage and nurture our community. My philosophy is rooted in the belief that by fostering a supportive and collaborative environment, we can create a cycle of mutual enrichment, where each member of the community contributes to and benefits from our collective growth. I find great joy in collaboration, where success is not a solitary achievement but a shared one. By working together, we can achieve win-win situations that elevate everyone involved, harnessing the collective strength and creativity of the group to reach new heights. This approach not only enriches our projects but also strengthens the bonds within our community, creating a nurturing and productive space for all.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jiaoyangli-textile.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jylllllll___/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jiaoyang-li-96413b91/overlay/background-image/