Ping-chi HUNG
Iris, Ping-chi HUNG is an independent curator and a professional arts administrator. She is the co-founder of Mutualism Ltd. Hung formerly served as the president of the Taiwan Art Space Alliance from 2021 to April 2024, and the managing director of Bamboo Curtain Studio. Hung holds a master’s degree in Cultural Industry from Goldsmiths, University of London, with a focus on the political relations of pop-up culture in gentrified spaces.
Hung was a member of the Bamboo Curtain Studio from 2014 to 2020. During this time, she was mainly responsible for making operational plans and assisting artists in implementing residency projects. Currently, Hung focuses on the support for arts and cultural environments, interdisciplinary collaboration, international exchange, and local community connections. She also explores perception and emotion through experimental sensory experiences. Hung’s recent curation includes “Elephant Finder” (2024), as well as co-curations such as “Dear Big Tree” (2023-2024) and “Water Says” (2023).
- Location France / Paris
- Year of the Grant 2020
- Residency Cité Internationale des Arts
Affected by the pandemic, there were relatively few artists from Asia during my residency. Most came from western countries, and a few more came from Mauritius, Madagascar, Iran, Lebanon, and Nigeria. At the time, the International City of Arts (Cité Internationale des Arts) had just resumed normal operations; some restrictions remained. For a space that can accommodate up to 300 residents at once, most of the residents are artists and only a few are curators. Last year (2022), the International City of Arts organized a residency program for curators with the National Centre for Visual Arts (Centre National des Arts Plastiques, CNAP). Five curators were selected for a 6-month residency. The overall planning of the program actually helps curators connect with local networks and artists. Meanwhile, I met African Canadian curator Missla Libsekal who focuses on environmental issues and one’s self identity. We exchanged many ideas together.
I have been working in arts residency institutions for the past decade. During this residency in Paris, I had subtle feelings about transitioning from a host to a guest, and I also observed the operations of this institution from a different perspective. At that time, the European partners that I had worked with introduced quite a few curators, artists, and local groups that match my research subjects. I had been thinking what I could do to make my meetings with them more lasting. Maybe I could try to develop exhibition plans on “sensory experiences,” find resources and collaboration partners, and present and exchange ideas in Taiwan and France. That would be something I want to do and actively pursue. Moreover, I was thinking about how to introduce the organizations that I was acquainted with to resident artists who joined later. That would be similar to a relay, strengthening the ties among us all.
I recommend using the resources provided by the hosting organizations to the full. For instance, during the residency, the International City of Arts organizes visits to specific spaces every month, guided by the venues’ directors or curators. This is a great opportunity to learn about the local art and cultural community at a close distance. There is also the IAA card (international identity card for professional artists) which allows free admissions to national art museums. With the IAA card, artists may even exchange for passes at the Kandinsky Library on the third floor of the Pompidou Centre (Centre Pompidou). Not many people have heard of this option, and yet it is home to a rich collection of art and cultural books. Of course, many of these books are in English. I highly recommend this place if you need some reading materials for your research.
More residency experiences: https://youtu.be/HtuabjvQvII
Author: Ping-chi HUNG
Edited: Brix