Born 1985. CHAI MI currently lives and works in Beijing and Los Angeles.
During the epidemic, my husband was trapped in the USA, my family my daughter and I were trapped in Beijing. In early August 2020, my grandfather who brought me up was suddenly critically ill caused by heart disease. I lived in the hospital and nursing home for nearly two months until he passed away.
“A’s Fable” is the only artworks I can stick to during this period of time. I kept selecting the photos of the zoo that I had taken before on the computer, adding black bars to the faces of the animals when I spared.
It is certain that worry, melancholy, and sorrow went with me in those days and refused to leave for long time.
#365daysafter art project
A’s Fables
By CHAI MI
Year：2015-2021
“A’s Fables” comprises a series of photographs of various dimensions, of animals taken at zoos around the world, combined with altered pages of storybooks. These images and texts were produced from photographs shot using digital cameras and alteration by hand, with the aim of weaving together the fantasies and power relations created by personification and metaphor.
The project includes: a series of digitally produced photographic works, altered pages of Aesop’s Fables, and physical books.
A’s Fables_The Gorilla In The Mirror
Shooting information：Shanghai Zoo_China_2016_32x18cm
The Home for The Gorilla
Shooting information：Shanghai Zoo_China_2016_23x13 cm
#365daysafter art project