Research Presentation by Lin + Lam at IADT, October 5, 2015
Lin + Lam discussed their projects and working methodologies over the past dozen years. Their projects have addressed the dissemination and attrition of cultures and languages through and post colonialism and globalization, the historical and contemporary conditions of refugees and displaced persons, and the paradoxical anonymity and surveillance of undocumented migrants. The artist team is attentive to the materiality of history as it is manifested through sites, documents, and psychic residues. Their lecture explored questions about the life and death of archives, and what it means to queer the archive.
Lin + Lam’s visit took place in conjunction with their participation in the exhibition Spring Watching Pavilion, curated by Orla Ryan at Void Gallery, Derry (3 October – 14 November, 2015).
Biography
Since 2001, Lin + Lam (Lana Lin and H. Lan Thao Lam) have produced projects in multiple media that brings together their backgrounds in architecture, photography, sculpture, installation, writing and time-based media. Inspired by a particular site, historical incident, or political issue, they collect research in the form of interviews, archival materials, and found objects. Their work has been exhibited at international venues including the Museum of Modern Art, New Museum, The Kitchen, and the Queens Museum, New York, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco, Arko Arts Center (Korean Arts Council), Seoul, the Oberhausen Short Film Festival, Germany, and the 3rd Guangzhou Triennial, China. They have received support from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Jerome Foundation, the Fulbright Foundation, the Princess Grace Foundation, and The Vera List Center for Art and Politics. Lam received her MFA from CalArts. Lin received her MFA from Bard College and PhD from New York University. Both have been participants in the Whitney Museum Independent Study program. Lam is Assistant Professor of Fine Arts at Parsons. Lin is Associate Professor in the School of Media Studies, The New School.
Website: http://www.linpluslam.com/index/home.html