Curated by Lesdavag
The exhibition “Where to Land (¿Dónde Caer?)” by Jayme Wong at KOIK Contemporary explores themes of migration, identity, and cultural memory through an introspective lens. As a third-generation Taishanese artist in the diaspora, Wong's multidisciplinary practice invites the audience to reflect on the fragility and resilience that define the migrant experience. Through her performance, which incorporates red fabric and chalk bricks, Wong transforms personal narratives into collective reflections on the challenges and triumphs of navigating identity and belonging.
The exhibition “Where to Land (¿Dónde Caer?)” by Jayme Wong at KOIK Contemporary explores themes of migration, identity, and cultural memory through an introspective lens. As a third-generation Taishanese artist in the diaspora, Wong's multidisciplinary practice invites the audience to reflect on the fragility and resilience that define the migrant experience. Through her performance, which incorporates red fabric and chalk bricks, Wong transforms personal narratives into collective reflections on the challenges and triumphs of navigating identity and belonging.
The exhibition's title, “Where to Land (¿Dónde Caer?)”, introduces a linguistic play between English and Spanish that reinforces its central themes. In the Spanish version, the absence of the initial question mark emphasizes the inherent uncertainty of "where to fall" or land, leaving the beginning open and visually unframed. This typographic choice symbolizes the precarity and lack of anchoring faced by those in transition or migration, reflecting an experience without a clear beginning or definitive resolution. By combining both languages in the title, Wong highlights the tensions between two worlds: English, associated with globalization and gentrification, and Spanish, representing local communities impacted by these dynamics. This dual linguistic play becomes a subtle yet powerful commentary on the origins and destinations of displaced populations.
The red fabric, a recurring element in Wong's work, functions as both material and metaphor. It represents cultural ties and vital connections, underscoring the delicate balance between individual stories and the strength of collective memory. Wong's choreography, blending Punking/Waacking with experimental movement, uses the fabric as an extension of her body. Her gestures embody the complex tensions within diasporic heritage, with each push and pull reflecting the ongoing journey of self-discovery.
In the context of Mexico City, the fabric’s movements also evoke the economic pressures and displacement experienced by local communities due to the influx of tourists and new foreign residents. As tourism increasingly reshapes the urban landscape, particularly in areas like the Historic Center, local populations are caught in a constant struggle between preserving their cultural identity and adapting to rapid changes imposed by external forces. The fabric's stretching and tension serve as a powerful metaphor for this struggle. Just as Wong’s body interacts with the fabric, the local community navigates the economic repercussions of tourism and subsequent gentrification, where rising rent prices and shifting neighborhood dynamics push and pull at the fabric of daily life, displacing long-time residents.
The chalk bricks add another layer of symbolism, representing both creation and dissolution. As they gradually erode during the performance, they leave traces that evoke the fleeting yet profound impressions migrants leave in unfamiliar places. These marks resonate with the fragility of memory, suggesting that even in transience, the power of remembrance endures.
Wong's connection to Mexico City, particularly its Chinatown, enriches her exploration of identity and belonging. This neighborhood, steeped in hybrid cultural histories, serves as a meaningful backdrop for her work. By intertwining her family’s migration history with the broader context of shared diasporic experiences, Wong creates a bridge between personal and collective stories. The absence of the initial question mark in ¿Dónde Caer? also plays with the idea of a lack of linguistic or cultural “anchoring,” reflecting the fluidity and ambiguities of existing between two worlds. Her performance poses the question: how does arriving in a new place shape both individual and communal identities?
“Where to Land (¿Dónde Caer?)” offers more than a celebration of artistic expression; it opens a window into the broader human condition. Wong’s seamless integration of movement, material, and storytelling transcends the personal, encouraging viewers to examine their own relationships with belonging and displacement. Her work resonates in a world increasingly shaped by migration, where questions of cultural identity and collective memory are more urgent than ever. By connecting her family’s journey with universal experiences of migration and resilience, Wong reminds us that our identities are fluid, evolving through the connections we make and the places we inhabit.
On a personal level, “Where to Land (¿Dónde Caer?)” evokes deep reflection on my understanding of migration and memory. Watching Wong's performance, I was struck by how her movements with the red fabric mirrored the tension between cultural roots and the uncertainty of displacement. The fabric seemed to echo the constant push and pull of home and belonging that many migrants face. The eroding chalk bricks also reminded me that moments of transformation, though fleeting, leave enduring marks on us, much like the migration stories that shape our collective consciousness.
In an era marked by shifting borders and growing divisions, Wong’s exhibition stands as a powerful reminder of the connections that unite us. “Where to Land (¿Dónde Caer?)” highlights art’s transformative potential to foster empathy and dialogue, urging us to reflect on our own journeys toward belonging. Wong’s work challenges us to reconsider how narratives of movement and memory—both individual and collective—shape the ever-changing landscape of our shared humanity.
Ultimately, “Where to Land (¿Dónde Caer?)” invites us to reflect on the enduring yet evolving ties that bind us. In an increasingly divided world, Wong’s work demonstrates how art can bridge gaps, foster understanding, and inspire compassion. Her exhibition leaves an indelible impression, urging viewers to reconsider their place in an interconnected world.
