Jiaxi Zhang

Communication (MFA)

DaY_Partition Screen In a society dominated by binary gender norms, nonbinary people often find themselves marginalized, which frequently leads to feelings of unease and helplessness. Therefore, my work aims to create a "safe space"—a place where people from specific groups can feel secure. However, such "safe spaces" are often subject to criticism, as they can attract discrimination and create bubbles. Anyone who creates a safe space understands that insecurity can arise whenever people gather together. Only those safe spaces intended to provide safety for marginalized groups tend to be contentious. A safe space is not always a physical location. The term "space" can also refer to an environment. Through my work, I aspire to create an environment where nonbinary people can feel safe, offering psychological and emotional support and protection for marginalized groups. This, in turn, reduces the risk of discrimination and harm to some extent. Additionally, this work is reflective, aimed at confronting those who harbor biases against nonbinary people. Through interactive experiences within the safe space I create, such individuals can better understand the challenging process of identity formation for nonbinary people, thereby breaking down traditional stereotypes associated with binary gender norms.This work hopes to promote inclusivity and support for the nonbinary community, while also encouraging people to reflect on their own understanding of gender and societal role expectations.

To help the audience gain a more intuitive understanding of my installation work, I will incorporate a short film for visual storytelling. This experimental film primarily depicts the dual confusion and suffering experienced by nonbinary individuals, both physically and psychologically, as well as the various situations they face from a societal perspective.

DaY_Space Divider The diversity of plants coexisting within the same ecological environment parallels the way nonbinary individuals, binary-gendered people, and cisgender individuals coexist within the same community. Henry David Thoreau, in his journal entry from the winter of 1854, observed the gender characteristics of leaves: “What a contrast between the upper and lower surfaces of many leaves—the upper side so hard and colored—the lower so soft and colorless—male and female—even though they are equally exposed.” This contrast in appearance is analogous to the way gender stereotypes form in society, similar to the observation of external characteristics in plant anatomy studies. This analogy helps us understand how gender perception and the assessment of appearance influence gender identity in society. Therefore, I metaphorically compare my work to a piece of land divided into two parts: one representing younger nonbinary individuals (Partition screen) and the other representing older nonbinary individuals (Space Divider), vividly illustrating this process of generational transition. Just as the growth process of plants includes stages like seed germination, stem and leaf development, flowering, and fruiting, each exhibiting different anatomical characteristics, the growth journeys of nonbinary individuals across different age groups are also diverse. My works will be placed adjacent to each other, forming a metaphorical dialogue. In the "land" I create, this dialogue symbolizes the exchange and inheritance between nonbinary individuals of different age groups.

DaY_Partition Screen The diversity of human society, particularly in terms of gender identity, is reminiscent of the diversity and complexity found in plant biology, a comparison that has prompted deep reflection on my part. Why do people judge human gender but not plant gender? What is the connection between the two? German writer and philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who developed what Emerson called the "leading ideas of modern botany," frequently mentioned his studies of botany and aesthetics in his scientific works, which laid an important foundation for his views on gender. Goethe drew analogies between plants and humans, asserting that to understand human gender, one must first understand gender in nature. For Goethe, nature was anything but static or definite; it was more akin to what modern chaos theory describes. The formation of gender stereotypes in society often begins with assessments based on appearance, similar to the method used in anatomical studies of plants. In society, people infer gender by observing external characteristics such as clothing, hairstyles, and body posture. This method of observation and evaluation mirrors the way plant features are studied, involving inferences about gender attributes or physiological traits based on appearance and characteristics. Every plant possesses its unique internal structure, just as every nonbinary individual has a distinct identity and personal experience. Through research on the personal narratives of nonbinary individuals, I found significant differences in the gender identity processes between younger nonbinary people (ages 10-29) and older nonbinary individuals (30 and above). Just as a plant's external structure and internal anatomy form a cohesive whole, the external expression and internal identity of nonbinary individuals are inseparable. The beautiful exterior of a flower and its intricate anatomical textures together constitute the plant's integrity. By delving into the internal structure of the flower, we emphasize the importance of the unity between internal and external aspects, challenging the stereotypes based solely on external judgments of gender.

About

I am Jia, an artist specializing in textiles and mixed media, passionate about exploring and utilizing various materials. My creations focus on the interaction between people and objects, emphasizing sensory experiences. I aim to evoke resonance in the audience through multiple layers of touch, sight, and emotion. My works typically use textiles and materials as narrative tools, intricately telling the stories of individuals or groups, prompting deep reflections on identity and social relationships.

Nonbinary people often feel marginalized and uneasy in a society dominated by binary gender norms. Their self-identity is complex and diverse. “DaY” aims to reveal the inner world of genderless individuals in an environment of social disrespect and misunderstanding through multidisciplinary interactive installation art (combining installations and video). It seeks to provide greater visibility and social recognition for genderless individuals. At the same time, it encourages those with gender stereotypes, or who even discriminate against and attack nonbinary people, to reflect on their own gender identity and perceptions of others, thereby promoting self-awareness and growth.Therefore, “DaY” is not just an art project but a social dialogue, a rethinking, and exploration of gender perceptions. Through this approach, it aims to promote inclusivity and support for the genderless community and inspire societal reflection on individual gender perceptions and societal role expectations.

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