ARTIST STATEMENT
I am a multiform conceptual artist with a social practice. I examine processes of social construct and knowledge production via the lens of feminism, situatedness and technology. My works exist as codes of conduct, performative interventions, multimedia installations as well as formal and informal gatherings, composting and dinner parties, repetitive manual labor. I perform absurd interpretations of ethical values and negotiate idealism within a fully diverse society, while knowingly exhibit a willingness to count on human agency to see change for the better.
Currently, I focus on inter-species reproductive justice, speculating alternative futures and technologies, facilitating collective daydreaming, and designing systems for intrinsic accountability.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Althea Rao creates social engagement models to facilitate playful conversations that unpack normalized systemic power imbalance. She draws influence from media studies, design justice and community organizing. Her project Vagina Chorus, a bio-responsive, socially-engaged multimedia performance provoking conversations around gender justice and healthcare accessibilities, is a recipient of the 2020 MAP Fund and premiered at the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, US.
Rao has lived and worked in China, Japan and the US, and received training in journalism, media arts and filmmaking. She participated in fellowships and residencies at MIT Feminist Future(s) Hackathon, Theater MITU, More Art, Artspace New Haven, Flaherty Film Seminar, NYFA, Signal Culture, and Halcyon Arts Lab. In her spare time, Rao writes for Chinese readers about gender justice, as well as translating manifestos, film scripts and poetry between English and Chinese.
artist website
© Althea Rao