Little Whorehouse de Chinoise
in collaboration with my wifey Ziwei Huang
Performance, theatre, multimedia
This project is entitled "Little Whore House of Chinoise." The concept draws from the traditional Chinese “Green House” brothel. It is a space where both prostitutes and artisans entertain their guests. It also refers to the “hair salons” and “massage parlours” in Asia that frequently double as a site for sex work. We see a connection between the historical and contemporary sites of Chinese sex work and our own experiences as queer immigrants in Europe. Our bodies are often denied, objectified, exoticized, fetishized, and commodified within the multiplex system of power.
Our performance also converses with the concept of "Chinoiseries". The term often intertwined with “orientalism”—has existed since Marco Polo’s travel to Asia. It represents a fantastical imagination about China: It is the Chinese-inspired interior design, ceramics, and paintings; It is the excessive ornaments featuring flowers and birds, dragons and phoenix; it was the obedient, hard-working Chinese wife; it is the weak, evil, and opium-smoking Chinese men; it is the unintelligent, uneducated individuals living under a totalitarian regime. Chinoiseries can be bizarre, erotic, fantastical, humorous, harmful, and reductionist. Our performance will draw from the positive and negative aspects of "Chinoiseries" to subvert and negotiate different power structures and beliefs. We will use our art, body, humour, and erotic energy to challenge the Western gaze and to tease Frankfurt’s attraction and repulsion towards China and Chinese queer bodies. Similar to our previous work, this performance will be a multimedia experience. By utilizing lighting, fabrics, and interior decor, we will transform the designated space into a realm of "Chinese erotic fantasy." The space will serve as an exhibition area for our erotic artworks, while also hosting a lineup of erotic dances, massage performances, and BDSM-themed acts. Furthermore, the space will act as a social environment where guests can mingle, share opinions, and interact with the performers.
