SLATE Art Guide

RMB CITY "“ Cao Fei (SL: China Tracy). Curated by Siya Chen and Heather Keung. RMB CITY is proudly presented by A Space Gallery and Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival ... more RMB CITY "“ Cao Fei (SL: China Tracy). Curated by Siya Chen and Heather Keung. In the Chinese virtual utopia RMB City, proudly presented by A Space Gallery and Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, you can dine on roast duck at a night market, indulge in a luxurious foot massage with Karl Marx, apply for a job with the Monkey King, take choreographed tai chi dance lessons, or meditate on a flying carpet... all while discussing universal theory as it applies to life, both real and virtual. RMB CITY was developed, via the freeware Second Life, by young Chinese artist Cao Fei (otherwise known as China Tracy) with support from Vitamin Creative Space. Residency in RMB CITY presented by Gendai Gallery. Toronto artists create projects in reaction to RMB CITY structure and life. Technical support by the Hybrid Media Lab at the Ontario College of Art and Design. Cao Fei, who was born in Guangzhou in 1978, currently lives and works in Beijing. Acclaimed for her multimedia installations and videos, she is acknowledged as one of the key young artists emerging from mainland China. By weaving social commentary, popular aesthetics, Surrealism, and documentary conventions into her films and installations, she offers her perspective on the rapid and chaotic changes in all facets of Chinese society. Her work has been exhibited in art venues around the world, including the Guggenheim Museum in New York, Deutsche Guggenheim Berlin, and the Venice Biennale. Residency in RMB City presented by Gendai Gallery. Toronto artists create projects in reaction to RMB City structure and life. Technical support by the Hybrid media lab at the Ontario College of Art and Design.