The Petal (Cánh Hoa)
The Petal (Cánh Hoa), 2020
Digital video, 3:58min loop
Or Gallery
The Petal (Cánh Hoa) was a video installation displayed at the Or Gallery and created as part of the Pride in Chinatown MMXX street festival in Vancouver, Canada. The video explored the struggle of Asians born in the West who often battle with dueling identities. The video features Kara Juku morphing between an Áo dài (traditional Vietnamese garment) and a contemporary outfit; shapeshifting out of the want to fit in. It represents her journey as she learns to embrace her heritage while navigating societal pressures.
Pride in Chinatown MMXX launched with artist street projects happening throughout Chinatown, viewable 24/7 from August 8th — September 7th, 2020. Rather than pivoting online, the festival hit the streets running with new site-inspired artworks from the queer pan-Asian diaspora, who covered hoardings, windows, doorways, storefronts, laneways, utility poles and boxes, and monuments.
Pride in Chinatown MMXX was not only a bold gesture claiming Chinatown as a safe space for LGBTQ2+ people and allies, but was rebuttal against the recent acts of racist aggression and discrimination that included the wave of anti-Asian graffiti amplified by COVID-19. The Petal (Cánh Hoa) was one of several projects featured on Pride in Chinatown MMXX.
