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The Alt-Alterity Publication: 
A Collection of Artist Interviews

Edited by Xiaofan Jiang  |  Published in Jan 2024 by UAAD  |  ISSN 2996-038X

What does “Alt-Alterity” mean and why does it matter? How will exhibitions in the digital age shape the art scene? What are some of the strategies for a future that transcends the domination of the present, the numerous ends portrayed in pop culture, dystopian sci-fi, climate science, and beyond?  Dedicated to pioneering curators, artists, and designers interested in virtual curations, this publication is released on the occasion of "Alt-Alterity", an immersive virtual exhibition presented by UAAD on the virtual platform, New Art City.  The show brings together the 26 groups of artists and delves into 3 themes: "Unsung Wisdom, Rebel Tech," "Ephemeral Cycles, Everlasting Collapses," and "Fluid Bodies, Blurred Boundaries," seeking to unlock the potential for alternative futures characterized by symbiosis and coexistence, where the notion of "alterity" need not exist.  The publication includes the introduction to the exhibition and a collection of interviews that delve into each artist's interpretation of Alt-Alterity, their thoughts and experiences with the virtual format of contemporary exhibitions, and their provocative or actionable strategies for a more equitable future, whether big or small. The artists also share a curated selection of reference materials — books, essays, podcasts, and films — offering valuable insights and extending the discourse beyond the exhibition. ​ Editor: Amy Xiaofan Jiang.  ​ Contributors: Aiping Xu, A.J. Cincotta-Eichenfield, Angela M Link, Bobby Zhaocheng Xiong, Chia-Hua Lee, Christie Lau, Elizabeth Russ and Michael Donnelly, Fatima Al-Kuwari, Flavia Mazzanti, Ishraki Kazi, Joshua Carlos Barrera, Krithi Nalla, Ludovica Galleani d'Aglian, Meiyi Jiang and Xiaoting Tan, Mehrdad Sedaghat-Baghbani, Mingyong Cheng, Mo Nan, Shashwath Santosh, Symonne Liu, Tiange Wang and I-Yang Huang, Tianyun Jiang, Xinyuan Ma, Yimei Zheng, Yu Chen, Yuwen Huang, Yuqing Liang, Zhijun Song and Yalin Hu

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"Alterity," from the Latin "Alteritas," signifies the state of being other or different. The prefix "Alt" suggests "alternative," one of the derivatives of "Alterity." This concept underpins a prevalent action in our world: the creation of otherness. The "other" is often rendered as starkly different from and opposite to those who seek to control, absorb, and dominate it. “Alt-Alterity” is a manifesto for the future of coexistence, a way of being in which the notion of “alterity” need not exist. It challenges us to question the very foundation of what we consider as “normal” and “other,” prompting a departure from an anthropocentric perspective to one that values a comprehensive appreciation of planetary diversity and interconnectedness. Alt-Alterity features works across cultural, religious, ecological, industrial, ethical, and individual aspects, trying to understand what knowledge, wisdom, and technology might allow for the reconfiguration of the others, to tune into dialogues and symbiotic engagements among subjects, and lastly, to explore the interconnection and hybridity we possess with the world and to become one with it. The artists participating in this exhibition explore "Alt-Alterity" in multifaceted realms. Among the contributors are not only contemporary artists but also designers and strategists who transcend the traditional boundaries of their disciplines. Many of these creators merge inquiries in science and art, combining creative experimentation with philosophical exploration. They aim not just to express artistic vision but to embody a socially and planetarily responsible agency. This is in stark contrast to the capitalist rhetoric that often defines their fields. Their approach champions a non-alienated, discursive design, paving the way for social reimagination. From the imagination of reversed realities and hybrid forms of existence to the exploration of marginal cultural expressions and the blurred boundaries of fluid identity, the exhibition is divided into three chapters: "Unsung Wisdom, Rebel Tech", "Ephemeral Cycles, Everlasting Collapses", and "Fluid Bodies, Blurred Boundaries."

Featuring Artists:

Aiping Xu, A.J. Cincotta-Eichenfield, Angela M Link, Bobby Zhaocheng Xiong, Chia-Hua Lee, Christie Lau, Elizabeth Russ and Michael Donnelly, Fatima Al-Kuwari, Flavia Mazzanti, Ishraki Kazi, Joshua Carlos Barrera, Krithi Nalla, Ludovica Galleani d'Aglian, Meiyi Jiang and Xiaoting Tan, Mehrdad Sedaghat-Baghbani, Mingyong Cheng, Mo Nan, Shashwath Santosh, Symonne Liu, Tiange Wang and I-Yang Huang, Tianyun Jiang, Xinyuan Ma, Yimei Zheng, Yu Chen, Yuwen Huang, Yuqing Liang, Zhijun Song and Yalin Hu

Curator: Xiaofan Jiang, Fangyi Yang