Block Museum’s exhibition “Tseng Kwong Chi: Performing for the Camera” is a collection of the photographs of a photographer-performer Tseng Kwong Chi. Tseng Kwong Chi (1950-1990) is well-known for his photograph that juxtaposes the East and the West and is also noted for his works with other prominent artists, such as Keith Haring. Overall, he captures the moment in which the East (represented by his own identity) meets the West. Furthermore, in many of his works, Tseng highlights how his presence as a genuinely distant, and therefore uncertain and strange, Asian man actually enables him to belong at a place that is generally deemed inadequate for people like him at the time – Tseng was a queer man of color, an Asian immigrant from Hong Kong.
Tseng Kwong Chi’s photography displays how one’s appearance of power affects one’s interaction with others and, more specifically, distorts another’s perception about one’s power. For instance, appearance associated with power and authority can overcome the exclusion experienced by people due to their race and social status. In Tseng’s case, his most notable tactic in controlling other’s perception of his authority is through his uniforms. In many of his self-portraits taken in the United States, Tseng dresses up in Mao style uniform, and therefore sometimes disguises himself as a distant and ambiguous, yet authoritative man from China. In fact, during the time in which Asians were generally excluded from high-elite society, Tseng was able to infiltrate their social scenes and to genuinely appear as someone who “deserves to be there.” On the other hand, it is not always that Tseng wanted to appear as an ‘ambiguous ambassador.’ In fact, he sometimes tries to appear less powerful, in order to disarm others through his familiarity, as shown by his effort to arrange the Moral Majority exhibition. As such, Tseng displays how controlling one’s appearance can change one’s authority perceived by others, helping one to infiltrate exclusive social groups.
First, through the photographs he took with socially and culturally influential figures including Andy Warhol and Paloma Picasso, during the 1980 exhibition The Manchu Dragon: Costumes of the Ch’ing Dynasty, 1644-1912, Tseng exposes how one’s appearance of power can gain one an entry to socially exclusive circles. Furthermore, Tseng shows how manipulating another’s perception can sometimes be as easy as putting on a different uniform.
In the photos from that evening, Tseng in his Mao uniform stands next to celebrities and renowned artists, smiling genuinely at the camera. Celebrities next to Tseng, many in awkwardly ornate China-resembling outfits, stare at the camera with him. Although this photo may not appear so special at first, when one puts the photo in its context, it reveals the nature of power. In the photograph, the negative sentiments toward homosexuals, Asian immigrants, and Communism in the United States at the time become overshadowed by an image of possibly a very powerful, distant and therefore somewhat ambiguous, Chinese man in Mao style uniform. Under the authoritative exterior, a homosexual Asian man who was considered to be a minority stands with and becomes a part of the majority.
Ultimately, his appearance of authority enables him to belong to the party and to take photos with prominent social figures and artists. His difference in ethnicity overcomes exclusion through the appearance of power. It is not just his difference and uncertainty that gives him the successful infiltration. Tseng in Mao suit is indeed different from others at the party, but at the same time, he appears powerful. If he were only being different without the look of authority, he would not have succeeded in taking the photographs with people. He is different and powerful, and the uncertainty makes his power even more unfathomable. It is interesting to note that although Maoist uniform emphasizes his loyalty toward Communism (which the general Americans at the time were quite hostile to), at the same time, because he appears to be not just a Communist but also a powerful and authoritarian official, he was able to overcome others’ discomfort with such ideology. Tseng’s tactics in distorting other’s perception about him is simple; he puts on different uniforms to infiltrate exclusive social spaces. This simple tactic overcomes his identity limits; through the juxtaposition of his disguise in uniform and his gained entry to socially exclusive scene, Tseng lampoons the shallowness of the elite social circle.
Tseng Kwong Chi uses different uniforms to be perceived not only as more powerful but also as more familiar and less threatening. He dressed according to what he wanted to achieve in terms of his superficial social status. His Moral Majority exhibit is an example of which he dresses in seersucker suit to appear more familiar, friendly, and unaggressive. He introduces himself as a photo-journalist, and takes the photos of conservative politicians who identified themselves as the Moral Majority led by Jerry Farwell. Despite the members of the Moral Majority being generally anti-immigrants and homophobic, Tseng achieved to take the photos of them in carefully orchestrated setting. In the photographs, each pose in front of crumpled American flag. The members are all white with “self-righteous posturing.” Through the photos, Tseng Kwong Chi lampoons the extreme conservatism of the Moral Majority and its anti-gay, anti-feminist, and anti-immigrant sentiments. Their racial exclusivity as white, the crumpled flag, and self-righteous posture together provide ironic and therefore humorous image. As shown by one of the contact sheets that features Tseng posing with New York State Moral Majority chairman Daniel Fore, Tseng is dressed in genteel seersucker suit that makes him appear more familiar and less threatening. Tseng appears with less power and authority, and puts on the guise of a familiar man to successfully orchestrate the photoshoot. When the politicians became skeptical of what he was doing and asked why the flag was crumpled, Tseng assured them that it was to give the impression of a blowing flag. If Tseng had the appearance of a Communist diplomat, he would have not achieved to photograph the members of Moral Majority in front of the American flag, which its crumpled state gave the impression of the flag being sucked into, or devoured by, the politicians’ bodies.
Tseng Kwong Chi’s photographs thus reveal how one’s appearance of power can overcome one’s social identity. His uniforms not only set him different from or familiar to the photographed, but it also influences people’s perception about his power and authority. Tseng Kwong Chi lampoons the exclusivity of social elite groups by exposing how assailable their exclusivity is in front of artificial disguise created by just a simple change in outfit. Through his photos, Tseng Kwong Chi, a homosexual Asian immigrant, reveals the sad truth of what needs to be controlled to overcome social exclusion: authority and power.
586 Comments
Thanks for the valuable information and insights you have so provided here.
https://www.prontopanels.com/puf-panel-sheet/
Love to read it,Waiting For More new Update and I Already Read your Recent Post its Great Thanks.
Taxi Services in Jaipur
Love to read it,Waiting For More new Update and I Already Read your Recent Post its Great Thanks.
Car key accessories store
I gotta favorite this website it seems very helpful .
Thanks for sharing this valuable information with us.
I gotta favorite this website it seems very helpful .
Thanks for sharing this valuable information with us.
Website Design Company In Jaipur
Thank you so much for sharing such useful information. Everything is very precise explanation of the issues. It was truly informative.
Indian Astrology Future Career Predictions
love the content of this blog and the positive you have. Thanks!
Best Travel Agency in Jaipur
Simply unadulterated brilliance from you here. I have never expected something not as much as this from you.
husband wife dispute problem solution
Thanks for Sharing This Article.It is very so much valuable content. I hope these Commenting lists will help to my website
Best Website Development & Designing Company In Jaipur
Its very informative, I started a new blogging website, and i’m very dedicated to provide my visitors very fresh and informative content. I wanna support from you.
Legal advice Consulting Services
Wonderful article, thanks for putting this together! This is obviously one great post. Thanks for the valuable information and insights you have so provided here.
Love Problem Solution Baba ji in India
Thank you so much for the post you do. I like your post and all you share with us is up-to-date and quite informative, I would like to bookmark the page so i can come here again to read you, as you have done a wonderful job.
potato powder
RITESH RAJ
I really impressed after reading this because of some quality work and informative thoughts. I just wanna say thanks for the writer and wish you all the best for coming!.
Jharkhand university
RITESH RAJ
I recently found much useful information on your website, especially this blog page. Among the lots of comments on your articles. Thanks for sharing.
nsp cut off
RITESH RAJ
I really impressed after reading this because of some quality work and informative thoughts. I just wanna say thanks for the writer and wish you all the best for coming!.
jobs for students
RITESH RAJ
Affordable OutSystems Development Company in India
Prometheas Technologies boasts a team of seasoned OutSystems developers who harness the platform’s full potential to deliver enterprise applications tailored to both present and future market demands. We champion personalized enterprise solutions, offering clients an array of customization and scalability options to ensure solutions align perfectly with their unique needs. Our mastery of OutSystems extends to every phase, from consultancy to final app development, and ongoing support and maintenance services. Count on our unwavering expertise for your success. Visit- https://prometheastech.com, mail us @hello@prometheastech.com for FREE CONSULTATION
Available 24 hours a day, can be played on your mobile phone anywhere, anytime.
Withdraw money via Online Banking. You สล็อต เว็บตรงไม่ผ่านเอเย่นต์ ไม่มี ขั้น ต่ํา วอ เลท almost don’t have to leave your room to play.
Service available 24 hours a day, can be played on your mobile phone anywhere, anytime.
Withdraw money via Online Banking. You สล็อต เว็บตรงไม่ผ่านเอเย่นต์ ไม่มี ขั้น ต่ํา วอ เลท almost don’t have to leave your room to play.
Service available 24 hours a day, can be played on your mobile phone anywhere, anytime.
Withdraw money via Online Banking. Youสล็อต เว็บตรงไม่ผ่านเอเย่นต์ ไม่มี ขั้น ต่ํา วอ เลท almost don’t have to leave your room to play.
Thanks for sharing very well written article indeed. สอบถาม hokabet I’m glad you enjoyed it!
WOW! this article it really great i like it
Hey, i found a great site with so many games
Just click this >>> DetikToto <<<
Extraordinary Data sharing .. I’m extremely glad to peruse this article .. gratitude for giving us go through data. Incredible pleasant. I value this post. also, thank you for sharing an astounding article… Thanks for sharing this wonderful content. It is very helpful for us.||¿Existe el Divorcio sin Culpa en Nueva York?. ||Abogado de Multas de Tráfico Condado de Bergen Nueva Jersey.
Starbet88 (https://starbet-88.com/)
Starbet88เว็บตรงStarbet88 แนะนำสุดยอดเกมฮิต ที่กำลังมาแรง เกมสล็อตออนไลน์จากค่าย STARBET-88.COM
Starbet88 มีเกมมากมายให้เลือกเล่น ไม่ว่าจะเป็นเกมยิงปลา เกมสล็อตและเกมอื่นๆ เกมโจ๊กเกอร์จัดมาให้อย่างครบครันผู้เล่นสามารถสนุกเพลิดเพลินไปกับตัวเกมที่เล่นง่าย กราฟฟิกสวยง่าย แถมโบนัสแตกบ่อย สมัครเล่นวันนี้กับ STARBET-88.COM โปรโมชั่นโบนัสฟรีไปเลย 100% สำหรับสมาชิกใหม่ ก็ร่วมสนุกกับเกม ทางเรายังมีโปรโมชั่นอื่นๆ อีกมากมาย ตรวจสอบโปรโมชั่นต่างๆ ทางเราขอแนะนำเกมที่โบนัสแตกบ่อย เล่นง่ายจากเกมที่เราแนะนำด้านล่างได้เลย
STARBET88 | สมัครง่ายได้จ่ายหนัก ได้รับเงินจริง (https://starbet-88.com/)
Starbet88 คาสิออนไลน์ สล็อตแตกง่าย เว็บตรง Starbetthai
Starbet88 ที่ได้รับความนิยมมากที่สุด สล็อตแตกง่าย ฝากถอนไม่มีขั้นต่ำ สตาร์เบ็ท88 เราคือผู้นำรวมสล็อต อันดับ 1 เว็บตรงStarbet แจกเครดิตฟรีทุกวัน พร้อมโปร
Good morning to you and Betflix wallet
your family and สล็อตเว็บตรงวอลเล็ต
your insurance is going เว็บสล็อต 168 ฝาก ถอน true wallet
The first one was you PG SLOT AUTO
Very nice use of your voice I love the yarn ສລ໊ອດອອນລາຍ
Its an amazing information. JILI WALLET
I just love your blog. PG SLOT AUTO WALLET
This blog is amazaing! MEGA888 AUTO
Thank you for the nice content. สล็อตฝากถอนวอเล็ท
What’s up, slotxo wallet
I want to subscribe for this blog to obtain most recent updates, 918KISS AUTO
therefore where can i do it please help. PUSSY888 AUTO
Very informative สล็อตฝากถอนวอเลท
amazing article Live22 auto
Good job on this article! JOKER WALLET
I really like how you presented your facts สล็อตเว็บตรง
how you made it interesting and easy to understand. PUSSY888 เว็บตรง
Thank you. JOKER AUTO WALLET
Howdy! This is my first comment here 918kissauto
so I just wanted to give a quick shout out สล็อตออนไลน์
say I truly enjoy reading through your articles. JILI WALLET
I got what you mean , thanks for posting .Woh I am happy to find this website through google. لاند كروزر 2023
I got what you mean , thanks for posting .Woh I am happy to find this website through google. اكسنت 2023
I needed to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it. I have got you book marked to look at new stuff you post…
https://pataythar.com
I’m amazed, I must say. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s equally educative and engaging, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The problem is something that not enough folks are speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very happy I came across this in my hunt for something concerning this.
https://squarebit.io
I’ve read some good stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much effort you put to create such a great informative website. Strapless Bra
nice post, keep up with this interesting work. It really is good to know that this topic is being covered also on this web site so cheers for taking time to discuss this! Sportswear