For immediate release
28 January 2008
Paradise Found?
Supported by the Liverpool Culture Company and RIBA
A huge duck with a foxes head, a Scouse Buddhist monk, an interactive wigwamigloo and an Indian woman dancing to gospel and techno just some of the
characters, flora and fauna inhabiting artist Kai-Oi Jay Yungs Paradise Stories
exhibition.
Liverpools transformation and mankinds endless pursuit of happiness have inspired
Yung to create a unique two venue multi-sensory exhibition that employs a mixture of
art forms to explore the quest for utopia, inviting visitors to find a sanctuary from
reality and reflect on the citys journey to current day European Capital of Culture
renewal.
In the RENEW Rooms between March 4 and 28, Yung focuses on stories from
Liverpools inhabitants, featuring subjects from a range of backgrounds, ages,
occupations and ethnicities. Through interconnected one-to-one investigations,
chance and contrived meetings, her installation crosses sculpture to video installation
and live performance, voicing modern day vices, loss, aspirations and solidarity.
People can expect an assault on the senses at RENEW Rooms. Eight videos
include an insight into a cab drivers unsuspecting daily encounters, a feng shui
expert talking about how the Chinese Archway was positioned using ancient
techniques, and the raised voices from Afro-Caribbean mother and daughter The
Wentons. Their thorny discussion delves into integration across Liverpool since the
Toxteth riots. The videos are embedded amongst exuberant day-glow half-animal
forms, at once humorous and sinister, and a plethora of explosive improvised jungle
surroundings - even a water feature. There is respite though, as a shelter
construction offers a degree of escape from the noise of the surrounding plastic
Paradise.
Simultaneously in the International Gallery between March 4 and 21, Yung will
curate the work of eight artists from Georgia to Stuttgart, presenting a collage of work
spanning live performance and sound art to photography. Works include an
audience interactive Shadow Tracing event, a movement triggered instrumental
installation The Note C, and dreamlike alienation worlds of Maslen and Mehras
photographed light sculptures.
Kai-Oi Jay Yung said: Ive been away from Liverpool for fifteen years and its
incredible how a city changes but still remains home. I want to question what it
means to be Scouse, especially at a time when all eyes are on its growth and
investment. Paradise is a universal yearning; that is why I chose a second venue to
voice artist interpretations from Stuttgart to Oregon. I want visitors to see the beauty
as well as the reality of how we try to make sense of our lives through the work; this
is really about my passion to employ art to connect with real people.
-ENDS
Notes to editors:
Visit: www.myspace.com/kaioi (showreels, images, exhibtions)
www.myspace.com/paradisestories (project info).
High quality images are available free on request.
About Kai-Oi Jay Yung: Graduating in 2006, Yung is rapidly gaining
recognition as an international artist for her prolific and characteristically
challenging deployment of art forms investigating identity. Recent activity
include commissions/invitations for Istanbul Biennial, The Whitechapel Art
Gallery, Biennial/British Council exchange to Libya as well as Arts Council
funded projects to San Francisco and Hong Kong. In 2008 she will embark on
a long-term project alongside Grizedale Arts to China.
The artists selected for exhibition in the International Gallery part of Paradise
Stories are Chong Boon Pok, Chris Eckersley, Didi Dunphy, Faye Peacock,
Mehra & Maslen, Kurtz & Beatty, Sari Lievonen and Kaspar Wimberley.
Members of the media are invited to a private view of both exhibitions on Tuesday,
March 4, starting at the RENEW Rooms at 6pm, followed by street interaction piece
leading to The International Gallery at 8pm. To confirm you attendance, or for
more information on Paradise Stories, please contact Kai-Oi Jay Yung on
07961 915 011.
Listings information:
Paradise Stories:
The International Gallery, 34A Slater Street, Liverpool, L1 4BX
Exhibition dates: 4-21 March 2008 (Thursday-Sunday 12-6pm)
The RENEW Rooms, The Tea Factory, 82 Wood Street, Liverpool, L1 4DQ
Exhibition dates: 4-28 March 2008 (Weekdays 9-5pm, Sat/Sun 11-5pm. Closed 2124/3/2008 Easter)
