Lot 52: TSENG KWONG CHI

(Canadian, b. Hong Kong, 1950-1990) NEW YORK, NEW YORK estate stamp in black ink on verso MUNA TSENG DANCE PROJECTS INC. copyright stamp signed "Muna Tseng" in black ink on verso numbered, titled, dated and inscribed "#31C New York 1979 Brooklyn Bridge" in pencil on verso vintage gelatin silver print 7 x 7 in. (17.8 x 17.8 cm) paper: 10 x 8 in. (25.4 x 20.3 cm) 1979 PROVENANCE Julie Saul Gallery, NEW YORK Private Collection, NEW YORK Tseng Kwong Chi was born in Hong Kong to a Chinese father, who served in the Nationalist Army in the war against China's communist revolutionaries. He moved to Canada as a teenager and never visited China in his lifetime, which was cut short by AIDS. This photograph is part of his series, called both THE EXPEDITIONARY SERIES and EAST MEETS WEST, which addresses issues of cultural and personal identity and stereotyping. Very much influenced by performance art, this series records a long-term performance project. Always dressed in his signature Mao uniform and mirrored sunglasses, Tseng created the persona of an ambiguous Asian ambassador who represents the "mystery still surrounding China." By posing in front of Western cultural landmarks, he exploits and pokes fun at Western stereotypes and the West's ignorance of Asia in general. Tseng was initially inspired by President Nixon's 1972 historic trip to China. About the result, Tseng stated: "A real exchange was supposed to take place between the East and the West. However, the relations remained official and superficial." Here Tseng is seen leaping before the Brooklyn Bridge, with the shutter release cable in his hands (often a visible element). This outward display of his bold personality is not expressed in his later works, when he wishes to remain anonymous. One other image taken in front of the Transatlantic Building in San Francisco from the same year captures the artist in a similar leap. It is in this pose that the artist seems to be addressing another theme crucial to this series: tourism.