Lin Yilin, Triumph No. 3

Lin Yilin, Triumph No. 3  

Our exhibition would call for Lin Yilin to create a new iteration of the work Triumph (see previous post) in San Francisco.  The proposed site for the performance is Angel Island where many Chinese immigrants sought entrance to the US.

Since the Chinese Exclusion Act, 1882, Chinese laborers, who helped greatly in the development of the United States through mining, building railways, city constructions, etc, were the vicitims of discrimination.  The Act, for example, made it illegal to marry whites, a Chinese immigrant was unable to own real estate property and could be imprisoned without reason.  At the time, many immigrants were detained on Angel Island for months, despite their status as US citizens. 

In July 10, 2009, California issued an apology, Assembly Concurrent Resolution No.42, to Chinese Americans, specifically addressing the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 .  With this, the California recognized the unfair acts and asked for forgiveness.

With this historical background, Lin Yilin’s work, Triumph, gains a new context on Angel Island.  The artist's performance, an agonizing walk while his hand is cuffed to his ankle, will serve to call attention to Angel Island as the site of the discrimination and unfair treatment suffered by Chinese immigrants.

Since Lin is returning to San Francisco in April, it may be possible for him to realize the work. The live performance would be completed prior the opening of the exhibition.  The documentation would shown in the form of a video and/or photography. 

-Erdan Sun, Dane Jensen