Chi: A Bilingual Identity for Performance Art

Exploring the Dichotomy of Chinese Culture Through Food

The color palette and typography of Chi's identity reflect the nationalities and cultural backgrounds of the artists involved. The use of red English text on a white background represents the American-born Chinese, while the black Chinese text on a red background, a traditional Chinese way of writing, represents the native Chinese. This contrast in colors and typography sets the stage for the exploration of cultural differences and similarities.

The uniqueness of Chi lies in its bilingual nature and its focus on performance art. The artists interact with a set of eight dishes on a table, symbolically representing China's regional cuisines, to make sense of the subtle relationship between Chinese individuals and their diasporic counterparts. The three-dimensional ice letter of Chi, distorted and cut in the middle on the posters and booklets, further emphasizes this tension and adds a visual element to the performance.

Chi's realization involved the use of Adobe CC and Cinema 4D for design and visualization, as well as printing and book binding techniques for the production of posters and booklets. The posters measure 16.5 x 23.4 inches, while the booklets are sized at 8.5 x 5.5 inches.

The performance art identity of Chi includes sets of posters and booklets that help the audience understand the art and the setting of the performance. It provides a visual and conceptual framework for the exploration of Chinese culture and its diasporic variations.

The project began in September 2017 and was completed in October 2017. It was exhibited in Providence, RI, showcasing the cultural significance of Chinese cuisine and the complexities of Chinese identity.

Eating is a behavior of sharing in Chinese culture, and food plays a significant role in marking social and festive events. To understand the cultural nuances of Chinese cuisine, the designers interviewed owners of Chinese restaurants in the United States. Through their stories, it became evident that Chinese individuals develop different understandings of culture and society depending on the countries they grow up in, even when it comes to Chinese food. Chi aims to explain this complicated relationship through the symbolic behavior of eating.

The design of Chi presented several challenges, including type-pairing for English and Chinese text and creating graphics that effectively illustrate the tension portrayed in the performance art. Overcoming these challenges resulted in a visually striking and conceptually rich identity.

Chi, a bilingual identity for performance art, offers a thought-provoking exploration of the dichotomy between Chinese individuals and their diasporic counterparts through the lens of food. It highlights the cultural complexities and variations within Chinese society, inviting viewers to reflect on their own cultural identities and the role of food in shaping them.

Image Credits: Benhao Xie

Awards and Accolades: Chi was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in the Graphics, Illustration, and Visual Communication Design category in 2019. This prestigious award recognizes well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. Chi's integration of industry best practices and competent technical characteristics contribute to a better world, providing fulfillment and positive experiences.