Cao Fei is a Chinese multimedia artist whose works reflects the fluidity of a world in which cultures have mixed and diverged in rapid evolution. Fei reveals the discrepancy between reality and dream, and the discontent and disillusionment of China’s younger generation. Depictions of hyper-capitalistic Pearl River Delta development abound in images that echo traditional Chinese landscape painting and in the design of her own virtual utopia, RMB City.
Fascinated by the world of “Second Life,” Fei has created several works in which she is both participant and observer through her “Second Life” avatar, China Tracy, who acts as a guide, philosopher, and tourist. Interestingly enough, her alter ego, CT acts as the english translator for the Chinese speaking artist throughout this segment which guides viewers through her projects. CT shares her personal journeys through the Second Life Metaverse, teleporting, exploring, socializing, dating, falling in love, and eventually dissolving her digital romance. This video will give you an inside scoop to her media projects and China Tracy herself
https://art21.org/watch/art-in-the-twenty-first-century/s5/cao-fei-in-fantasy-segment/
Some of Cao Fei’s other works include media projects. A day-in-the-life is captured in the sensitive Milkman, corporate culture is critiqued in the surrealistic Rabid Dogs, while the assimilation of American pop culture by Asians is celebrated in Cao’s series of Hip Hop videos. As a whole, Fei has really encapsulated her own digital worlds and she continues to explore themes of automation, virtuality, and technology today.
