The announcement for the new exhibition in Queens titled “Home-O-Stasis” takes a unique approach. Instead of providing an address, the flier includes instructions to reach the Queens Public Library in Flushing and navigate from there. This gesture reflects the essence of the show, which runs until July 23rd, paying tribute to the predominantly Asian neighborhood where nearly 70% of the residents are of Asian descent, primarily from China, Korea, and Taiwan. To truly experience the art, which coexists with the various shop signs, ads, and posters that cover the walls and windows of the unassuming venue, one must immerse themselves in the visual cues that Flushing offers on a daily basis, rather than relying on a specific address.
Sculptor Anne Wu, whose work is featured in the exhibition, spoke about the linguistic challenges she faces as a Flushing native. She may not know the names of places, but she can provide accurate directions. This dedication and effort to navigate the neighborhood is well worth it when exploring the show.
“Home-O-Stasis” takes place in a one-story mini-mall, which represents a disappearing aspect of Asian urban enclaves. This mini-mall houses a diverse range of businesses, including a beauty shop, butcher, money transfer service, and a 99-cent store. The exhibition is organized by Herb Tam, a curator at the Museum of Chinese in America, and his wife Lu Zhang, an artist working in video and ceramics. As residents of Flushing themselves, they discovered the building during the pandemic when numerous handwritten “rooms for rent” signs covered the windows. Observing the new immigrants and locals gathering around these notices, Tam and Zhang felt inspired to offer something meaningful to those in search of a place to call home, amidst the ongoing gentrification of the neighborhood. They decided to invite artists with strong connections to Flushing to collectively explore what makes the area unique, including those who grew up there or regularly visited with their families.
Gaining permission from the shop owners to display artwork in their establishments proved to be a challenge initially, met with skepticism. However, Zhang succeeded in emphasizing the sincere intentions behind the exhibition and the specific pieces they hoped to display. This approach transformed the vendors’ perspectives, making them feel actively involved and supportive of the project. While the organizers did compensate each business, many offered generous discounts.
The artwork within the mini-mall is integrated subtly and surprises visitors, ensuring it doesn’t disrupt the usual flow of traffic and social interactions. Some pieces, like small-scale painted scenes by Tam, are easily recognizable at the barbershop and vitamin shop. However, locating others requires a closer examination of the multitude of signs and posters that adorn the walls and ceilings. With time, visitors will identify elements that stand out amidst their surroundings. The show features text-based works in both English and Asian languages, with an on-site brochure available for further context.
One standout piece from the show is Xiyadie’s cut paper artwork encased in acrylic. It depicts the clock tower of a U-Haul center in Flushing, an unexpected landmark representing the neighborhood shaped by immigration. Zhang’s ceramic sculpture named “Calling the Dutch” pays homage to a nostalgic element of the mall’s facade—an advertisement featuring a plywood cutout of a Nokia phone promoting a mobile phone business. Chung’s photographs from the series “Han in Town (Koreatown)” are displayed in the windows of a cosmetics store and showcase Jinglan Quan, an ethnically Korean shop owner with Chinese nationality. Quan’s story reflects the struggles she faced in finding her place in Flushing but ultimately becoming an integral part of the community.
Wu’s artwork, which involves removing years, months, and days from a calendar, leaving behind a ghostly skeleton, confronts the challenge of finding one’s bearings in a new place. The piece represents the artist’s personal experience of straddling two cultures, as it includes both the American calendar and the lunar calendar. Another interactive artwork located near the barbershop is a dreamed-up board game called “Flushing Polyphonous,” created by Mamahuhu. It offers a localized version of Monopoly based on Queens. Players engage in the game by rolling dice and encountering gains or losses based on drawn cards. Some instructions shed light on the difficulties faced by residents, including police crackdowns on street vendors, MTA delays, and anti-gentrification protests.
The curators reached out to individuals working in the building to gauge their thoughts on the exhibition. Tina Lin, the owner of Tina House specializing in skincare, expressed her appreciation for the displayed artwork while humorously mentioning a desire for more. Jessie Mu, who manages the 99-cent store, felt the exhibition brought a fresh and new perspective to the building usually adorned with advertising posters, thereby contributing to the community. Andy Zou, an employee at the barbershop, favored the board game installation but hasn’t had the opportunity to play it due to a busy work schedule.
Tam and Zhang selected the name “Home-O-Stasis” as a nod to the delicate process of finding balance and creating a new home. Despite the show’s acknowledgement of the challenges and disorientation faced by many individuals in Flushing, it also celebrates the sense of belonging and community provided by the neighborhood. Tam described the exhibition as a love letter to Flushing.
“Home-O-Stasis” can be visited during the mall’s operating hours from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. On Friday afternoons, visitors may have the opportunity to interact with the curators. In some fortunate instances, Zhang may share a small, limited-edition zine highlighting her favorite local spots for bubble tea, snacks, and dinner – hidden gems that can’t be discovered through a simple Google search. Visitors should expect to navigate through a supermarket and parking lot to reach these destinations.
Information:
– Exhibition: Home-O-Stasis: Life and Livelihoods in Flushing
– Dates: Until July 23rd, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
– Location: 41-40 Kissena Blvd, reachable by taking the 7 Train
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