Hanami Time Loop 2020

Using the video game Animal Crossing New Horizons, I transform a tranquil island into an anti-paradise of burning cherry blossoms to create a virtual metaphor for the Asian-targeted racism and hate crimes during COVID-19.

Like many gamers in the age of quarantine, I’ve taken refuge in the comfy kawaii gameplay of ACNH. However, with over 100 reports of Asian-targeted hate crimes occurring each day, I soon decided to transform my AC utopia into a streamable art installation and protest.

In 1909, the United States incinerated a large gift of cherry blossom trees from Japan after discovering that they were infected. The violent image of burning cherry blossoms paired with the fear of disease haunted me as a powerful symbol of the violence that Asian and Asian American people experience today.

In this ongoing piece, I will host a livestream of co-op play rituals, historical reenactments and an installation opening.

Digital Installation

2020

• They Watch You Thrive
• Yamanba
• Yellow Ranger in Sunset Park
• Zanna
• Dark Honey
• Yellow Ranger Evolution
• Midnight Work
• Family Armor
• Hapa Bruthas
• Requesting Access 1
• Requesting Access 2
• Yellow Ranger Air Raid Strike
• Offend to Defend
• Godpsila vs Queen Gidrea
• On the Set of 'Pirate Rezu'

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