Sammy Chien | New Media Residency

From May 1st to May 16th, we will be welcoming Sammy Chien as the inaugural artist-in-residence at Centre A’s new media gallery. During his time at Centre A, Chien will be working on research and development for a solo interdisciplinary new media performance piece, W(e)aves. This work will investigate migration, race and gender politics, transcultural identity, and spiritual philosophies, all articulated through Chien’s own performance language, which draws from digital technologies, audiovisuals, text, contemporary dance, and Qi Gong practices. W(e)aves will tell a story of life in Vancouver at the intersections of immigration, queerness, racialization, and mental illness.

Visit Centre A for a presentation of Chien’s research in progress on this work on Wednesday, May 16th at 5:30 pm. Please note that this presentation has been rescheduled and will no longer be taking place on Saturday, May 12th.

Sammy Chien is a Taipei born, Vancouver based interdisciplinary media artist, director, performer, researcher and mentor who works with film, sound art, new media and dance/theatre performance. He has studied film (BFA Honours) at Simon Fraser University and developed an expertise in electroacoustic music and digital technology in performance environment. After learning real-time performance softwares from Troika Ranch (NYC/Berlin), he continues his deep interest in interdisciplinary collaborations and forges deep connections between image, sound, and movement. He has collaborated visually, aurally and conceptually in numerous multi-disciplinary projects which have exhibited across Canada, Western Europe, and Asia including Centre Pompidou (Paris), Museum of Contemporary Arts Taipei, National Centre for the Performing Arts (Beijing), and Hellerau: European Centre for the Arts Dresden. His recent collaboration with Beijing Modern Dance Company includes working with artists such as Wong Kar Wai’s Cinematographer Christopher Doyle, the Father of Rock in China Cui Jian and having lunch with Ai Wei Wei. Sammy has also been involved in research or mentorship in projects that focus on the integration between art, science, technology and spirituality as well as engaging with various community groups and issues such as social activists, low-income residents, mental health, spiritual healing, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ2+, Indigenous peoples, and youths. Sammy is the Co-Founder/Artistic Director of Chimerik collective.