ARTIST STATEMENT
Erica Zhan (b. southeastern hills in China) is an interdisciplinary artist and writer based in Chicago, USA. Swallowed by their experiences of intensive consumerism, celebration capitalism and dynamics of competition, Zhan explores the paradigm of contemporary games and sports, as well as the vulnerability shaped by competitive intensity in the context of late capitalism. Weaving the mediums of performance, video and experimental writing, they simulate and provoke the authentic living situation, scrutinizing the zones of freedom in human society that have been eroded by professionalism and commodification, returning them to their original state of nakedness. Zhan explores the dynamics of competition within capitalist contexts and the evolution of games. Mold by contemporary professional sports economy and competition narratives, the spirit of play has declined through professional division of labor. They employ performance and video to examine the boundaries between games and competition, the affective strategies fostered by economic interests, and the relationship between the athletes and spectators.
Using humorous and low-tech language and parodying competition scenarios through performativity, Zhan decodes the structures and rules of major sport events, bringing them back into a local context. Beyond games and sports, They expand the tensions and vulnerabilities in competitive relationships to other human activities, such as curing, speaking and playing. Zhan involves the body and the audience in their works, weaving intimate narratives to transcode the lies, sentiments and intent in merchandising disguised as caring. Zhan aims to restore a lively state of playfulness to the audience, returning to nakedness and nature.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Erica Zhan, born in the southeastern hills of China, is an interdisciplinary artist and writer currently based in Chicago, USA. They hold a Master of Arts degree in Visual and Critical Studies from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a Bachelor’s degree in International Business with Communication Studies from the University of Nottingham Ningbo. Zhan’s works explore themes of competition, vulnerability and playfulness in the context of late capitalism. Actively engaged in Chicago’s local performance community and exhibitions, Zhan is passionate about public participation projects. Their performances and works have been showcased at various venues, including the International Museum of Surgical Science, ACRE Projects Gallery, Gene Siskel Film Center, Comfort Station, No Nation Art Lab and other locations. Additionally, Zhan writes poetry, fiction, and art criticism, with numerous art review articles published primarily in The Art Newspaper China (rebranded as The Art Journal in 2024).
© Erica Zhan