Statement
At the core of my work is an attempt to encourage the audience to confront how they have been turned into "objects" within the social structure. Through my art, I hope to help viewers realize that their existence and choices are not isolated—they are shaped and constrained by societal power dynamics. This "objectification" is not just something external; it subtly affects their inner world, prompting them to reflect on how they may, unconsciously, contribute to oppressive systems. By using interactive installations and performance art, I invite the audience to move beyond passive observation and become active participants in understanding and experiencing these power dynamics. In this process, they become the "object," gaining insight into the harm their actions may cause others. This is not merely an artistic statement but a call to examine the social realities we navigate daily.
In my work, I aim to make these realizations unavoidable. For example, in Everyone is an Artist, the audience is invited to drag my body across the floor, which physically represents power dynamics. Many choose to participate, but one individual cuts the rope, breaking the control. This action challenges the line between morality and violence and prompts the audience to reflect on the consequences of their choices. This interaction invites each viewer to consider how their unconscious actions can contribute to systems of oppression.
Room 13 builds upon this exploration, shedding light on the impact of power and oppression. It reveals how institutionalized power can diminish an individual’s identity and dignity. In this piece, I’ve created a dim, chaotic room, paired with an electroshock bed surrounded by sharp objects, allowing the audience to experience the discomfort of being oppressed and to reflect on how societal systems erode the individual through institutionalized violence. It serves as a reflection on the roles we all play in such structures and the potential consequences of our actions.
Ultimately, I hope my work encourages the audience to rethink their place within these social relationships. Through this immersive experience, I want viewers to recognize how their actions can potentially harm others, and how, in these social systems, they can either perpetuate or resist oppression. This isn’t just about individual behavior—it’s a broader critique of the societal framework. Through self-reflection, art can prompt us to become more aware of our moral responsibilities, encouraging us to reconsider how we can engage with a society that often fosters indifference and oppression, and how we can advocate for greater dignity and freedom for others.
Bio
Hazel Chen (also known as Qixin Chen) is an interdisciplinary artist born in Shenzhen and based in New York. Influenced by her upbringing in a collectivist society, Chen's work focuses on the subtle power dynamics and ethical implications of power within social norms. Her creations often involve transforming large spaces into immersive experiences or incorporating interactive performance art, allowing the audience to experience the conflict between self and other from a first-person perspective.
She has received Honorable Mention Award from Teravarna Art Gallery in Los Angeles and Special Recognition from Light Space & Time Art Gallery in Santa Fe. Her work has been showcased in numerous exhibitions, including solo and group shows at A Space Gallery, Brooklyn; SAIC Galleries, Chicago; Teravarna Art Gallery, Los Angeles; Light Space & Time Art Gallery, Santa Fe; 280 Gallery, Chicago. Her works have been featured in numerous publications including The Washington Dispatch, Shoutout Atlanta, Al-Tiba9. Bachelor Arts, School of Art Institute of Chicago, 2024.