Mengmei Chen

Contemporary Art Practice (MA)

About

My practice generally revolves around the exploration of self-expression and the complexities of life within the social background, challenging the notion that any perspective is inherently immature or superior.

Through installations and occasional performances, I experiment extensively with diverse materials ranging from everyday objects to ambient technology such as video and sound. The exploration allows me to delve into different modes of expression and spatial dynamics, creating environments that provoke emotional responses and engage viewers in sensory experiences.

This year I more like to examine my family’s history amidst significant social changes from my grandparents’ and parents’ generation to my own, mainly since the 1950s when both my grandparents and the ‘New China’ were young.

Utilizing sound recordings and oral histories as primary sources, I crafted narratives that bridge personal experiences with broader historical events. This process included creating thematic soundtracks for individual stories and translating them.

I integrated multiple mediums such as installations and printed materials, incorporating elements like playing cards and symbolic objects to symbolize familial narratives within larger socio-political contexts. Inviting viewers to contemplate the intersections of personal identity and collective memory.

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