We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shuang Cai a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Shuang, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
“Queer Knowing,” a group exhibition I co-curated with Eden Chinn and Blair Simmons at All Street NYC, is a heartfelt tribute to the queer experience, capturing moments of profound belonging. In this diverse showcase of thirty-two artists, we delve into the intimate territories of identity and community, often through sentimental collections of found objects and imagery. These personal museums, rich in emotion and personal history, become windows into the complex tapestry of queer life. My curatorial practice is rooted in the belief that art should provoke thought, inspire laughter, and foster connections. “Queer Knowing” exemplifies this philosophy by weaving together a vibrant array of mediums —found objects, soft sculpture, textiles, ceramics, photography, video, and painting—to explore themes of friendship, community, sexuality, joy, and pain. Each artist in this exhibition masterfully creates their own world within the constraints of their chosen medium, showcasing the inventiveness and resilience inherent in queer lives.
With traces of humor, This show encapsulates the essence of my curatorial practice, celebrating the power of art to transcend boundaries and create spaces of belonging. It invites viewers to witness the profound intersections of solitude and community, loss, and self-arrival. “Queer Knowing” embodies the multifaceted experiences of self-exploration with bright colors, abstract patterns, and child-like whimsy. Through this exhibition, we celebrate the diversity of queer voices and experiences, forging connections, sparking dialogues, and leaving a lasting impact on all who engage with these deeply resonant artworks.
Queer Knowing has extended to a new upcoming show at All Street NYC — Queer Anxieties — opened on Dec 7th. Sarah Hallacher joined Blair, Eden, and me in concocting the curatorial team of 4. The show contains 13 artists’ pieces, emphasizing textures and forms in the discourse of discomfort and queerness. The show will open until Jan 6th at All Street. It would be amazing if you can catch it during this holiday season!
As for my art practices, I focus on objects with humorous twists and challenge traditional notions. Two of my most recent pieces are extensions of our daily interactions with phones. The annoying phone add-on turns off the phone when one tries to unlock the phone, and the phone light is a piece where a cloud-like lamp turns on when one turns on their phone.
Shuang, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am a versatile multimedia artist, curator, and writer with a unique blend of skills that span various disciplines. My artistic journey is a dynamic exploration of multimedia, where I seamlessly weave together different mediums to create immersive, humorous, and thought-provoking experiences. This fusion of creativity defines my approach to crafting engaging narratives and artistic expressions.
In addition to my role as a multimedia artist, I am deeply involved in the curation field. My curatorial endeavors are driven by a commitment to innovation and a passion for fostering diverse voices within the artistic community. I specifically advocate for Asian artists and interdisciplinary art practices, aiming to create spaces that encourage artists to challenge norms and participate in meaningful dialogues.
My educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree from Bard College, where I majored in Computer Science joint Studio Art, and a Master’s degree from New York University’s Interactive Telecommunication Program (ITP). Currently, I hold the position of curatorial director at LATITUDE Gallery, a research resident at ITP, and will be a curatorial fellow at NARS Foundation in 2024. I was an editor at Adjacent Magazine and FreePress Magazine.
I have curated shows at prominent platforms, including LATITUDE Gallery, theBlanc, All Street NYC, and Joy Museum (Beijing). My diverse experiences in both the creation and curation of art allow me to offer a multifaceted perspective that sets me apart within the creative landscape.
What I am most proud of is my ability to bridge the worlds of technology and art seamlessly, drawing from my educational background and experiences. This interdisciplinary approach enables me to provide a fresh and innovative outlook, solving problems for clients and offering a unique perspective in both my artistic works and curation efforts. I invite potential clients, followers, and fans to explore the diversity and richness of my creative endeavors, where I strive to break boundaries, challenge perceptions, and contribute to the vibrant tapestry of the artistic world.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
I have come to the realization that the essence of my creative practice extends beyond the confines of traditional curatorial roles. While my primary goal remains rooted in establishing profound connections between curators, artists, and audiences, I have realized the transformative power of community-building within the realm of artistic expression. This realization prompted me to explore new avenues for fostering personal connections, not only between curators and artists but also within broader artistic communities.
Through my experiences curating solo shows, such as “A Little Good For a Long Time” with Charlie Mai, “Lambent Fire” with Ray Huang, and “Plusieurs Rêves” with Jessica Wee, I have evolved my curatorial approach into a collaborative partnership with the artists. This collaborative ethos is most exemplified in the solo exhibition “Time Feast” dedicated to Yanyan Huang, wherein our connection as curator and artist becomes a focal point, intertwined with the theme of the passage of time.
As my creative practice continues to evolve, I strive to create platforms that transcend traditional exhibition spaces. These platforms are designed not only to showcase the artists’ works but also to amplify the narratives embedded in their creative journeys. By emphasizing the personal stories of the artists, the press releases and exhibitions become more than just displays of art; they become narratives that invite viewers to connect with the artists on a profound and personal level.
The realization of the importance of communities in my own art practice has led me to explore innovative ways to build and nurture these artistic communities. Not only do most of my best pieces come with collaborators, but a recent direct manifestation of this commitment involves a collaborative venture with Team9 (the production team of Word Game), where we have joined forces to create community workshops and large interactive pieces. These endeavors revolve around using Chinese Characters as the medium, aligning seamlessly with my overarching mission to contribute significantly to the enhancement of the artistic landscape. The workshops and interactive installations serve as dynamic platforms that transcend the conventional boundaries of artistic expression.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Given that one of my primary goals as a curator and artist is to bring people together, the connections formed with fellow artists, collaborators, and enthusiasts have added immeasurable depth to my creative journey. This sense of belonging and shared passion creates a dynamic environment that fuels inspiration and fosters continuous growth. It wouldn’t be any surprise at all that I would say the most fulfilling aspect of being an artist and creative professional for me is the cultivation of vibrant communities.
Something that is more inherently rewarding in my artistic journey is the educational moments. Whether I find myself in the role of a teacher or a student, each interaction becomes a valuable opportunity for learning and growth. The reciprocal exchange of knowledge within the creative realm not only enhances my understanding but also contributes to the broader enrichment of the artistic community. This dual role as both a contributor and recipient of insights creates a cyclical and rewarding dynamic that propels my creative endeavors forward.
What makes these educational moments even more magical is their constant occurrence, transcending traditional academic boundaries. In fact, the best educational moments within art communities. I was a flyby Captain in 2022 at our student communities at ITP (Interactive Telecommunication Program). Though within the larger institution of New York University, Flyby is a completely student-run skill-share collective at ITP, where students engage in informal but enriching workshops, offering a unique form of knowledge exchange outside conventional classrooms.
This further elucidates my involvement in workshop production with Team9. We are presently in active collaboration with Accent Sister, an independent bookstore with a mission to connect creators who identify as Chinese and of Asian heritage. Our joint efforts aim to host educational workshops that delve into the creation of immersive experiences centered around Chinese Characters. It will be most rewarding to see how our participants can utilize the concepts illustrated in the workshops to create unique poetic experiences.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shuangcai.cargo.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fkialmostforgot/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shuang-cai/
- Other: Curatorial projects: https://shuangcai.cargo.site/curatorial Gallery Link: https://latitudegallery.nyc/
Image Credits
Annoying Phone Add-on, courtesy of artist (img 1) Phone Light, courtesy of artist (img 2) Show Posters, courtesy of LATITUDE Gallery (img 3 & 4) Gallery View of Time Feast | Yanyan Huang, courtesy of LATITUDE Gallery (img 5 & 6) Exhibition View of Team9’s In Between Words, courtesy of Team9 (img 7 & 8)