Chen Ching Yao

For his residency artwork Restaurant Project, Chen Ching Yao created a series of four photographs showing his subjects dressed in the attire of several different countries. He photographed his subjects at ramen stands, curry shops, cafes that serve Napolitan pasta and Japanese pubs (izakaya), dressed in traditional Indian or Chinese clothing, mafia-style outfits, and even in traditional Japanese townsfolk or samurai attire from the Edo Period. He also created a video artwork in which five men from different nationalities wore fitness apparel and performed radio calisthenics inside shopping arcades.

June 8 – Talk at the event ‘Wonder Photo’
Participants: 70 fifth-graders from Seinan Elementary School (venue: Seinan Elementary School)
June 19 – ‘Wonder Photo’
Participants: 70 fifth-graders from Seinan Elementary School (venue: Sculpture Lounge, Artists’ Studio)
June 26 – ‘Wonder Photo’
Participants: 85 Year 2 students from Ikigaoka Junior High School (venue: Sculpture Lounge, Artists’ Studio)
July 10 – School excursion visitors
Participants: 280 Year 1 students from Wajirogaoka Junior High School (venue: Artists’ Studio)

May 19 The artist introduced his work to date, and discussed his plans for the Fukuoka residency artwork.
Participants: 40 general admissions (venue: Ajibi Hall)
July 21 – Gallery talk as part of the ‘12th Winds of Artist in Residence Exhibition Part I’
Participants: 67 general admissions (venue: Artists’ Gallery)

July 21 – August 6 ‘12th Winds of Artist in Residence Exhibition Part I’
Total attendees: 1,409 (venue: Artists’ Gallery)
* All works donated

“Where do we look?” At Hakata Ramen and Sanju Ramen restaurants
Drunken customers at Izakaya An
Three brothers and yoga masters at Berkley Curry House
“Hey – This is no Napolitan pasta!” At Amber House Cafe
International radio calisthenics (video)