Shu Lea Cheang’s exhibition, “Kiss Kiss Kill Kill,” at Haus der Kunst in Munich showcases her unique blend of art, technology, and provocative storytelling. While Cheang is known for her erotic fantasies and graphic sex scenes, this exhibition focuses more on her exploration of science and technology over the past three decades.
One standout installation is “Spoken Words,” a combination of her previous works “Baby Work” and “Utter.” This piece features an animated avatar that changes gender and race, uttering provocative words related to sexual language that AI technologies may censor.
Another compelling installation is “Home Delivery,” where robots perform repetitive tasks related to food delivery, highlighting the reliance on technology for even basic human needs. Cheang’s exploration of technological waste as both a threat and a renewable resource is also evident in her installation “Portal Porting,” which repurposes internet data and presents it as a source of potential liberation.
The exhibition also includes the video “Escape Artist,” which originates from Cheang’s sci-fi project “UKI” and explores themes of mutability and generative power. The imagery of blood cells floating peacefully evokes thoughts of the human body as a porous and hackable system.
Overall, “Kiss Kiss Kill Kill” offers a thought-provoking look at the intersection of art, technology, and social commentary. The exhibition runs at Haus der Kunst in Munich until August 8, curated by Sarah Johanna Theurer with Laila Wu.
