This exhibition at MAI (Montréal, arts interculturels) consists 12 pieces of 40’’x50’’performance-based photographs titled “To Rebel is Justified” and a video documentation of a live performance, “ The Yellow Umbrella – An Unfinished Conversation.”

“To Rebel is Justified” is the slogan used by the Red Guards during the Cultural Revolution. With To Rebel is Justified, the artist revisits this dark period of Chinese history in a performative context. Chun Hua Catherine Dong puts herself on stage and personifies an imaginary Red Guard. Dressed in a military uniform, the anti-revolutionary of the 21st century explores human vulnerability in the context of ritual humiliation. Reversing meaning and symbols, Chun Hua’s “Red Guard” welcomes Mao Tse-tung to a pigsty rather than Tiananmen Square. Both tied to a classroom chair and kneeling in a bathroom, the performer plays with erotic submission. ( Quote from MAI)

For the live performance, please visit
https://chunhuacatherinedong.com/portfolio/yellow-umbrella-i/
For catalog essay, please visit
https://chunhuacatherinedong.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/To-Rebel-is-Justified-Chun-Hua-Catherine-Dong.pdf
For more info about this exhibition, please visit
http://m-a-i.qc.ca/en/index.php?id=408

photo credit: Paul Litherland