In contemporary art, Jung-Ai Chu stands out for her amazing ability to combine photography, video, and cultural discourse, both as an artist and curator. She’s known for organizing exhibitions that challenge traditional ideas of representation because her work reflects a deep understanding of historical and cultural contexts. Despite that, she’s still committed to honoring the artists’ visions, a delicate balance she exemplifies as a curator. Art, documentation, and theatre come together in Chu’s curatorial process to make exhibition spaces immersive, inviting audiences to explore complex ideas in new, interesting ways.
One of her most notable curatorial achievements is the 2019 Tokyo exhibition The President at an In-Between Stage. The exhibition featured the photography and videography of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen, captured by her chief photographer. This exhibition, held at the prestigious Tokyo Hillside Terrace, featured photographs and video documentation of significant historical events in Taiwan. Chu’s curatorial approach elevated the images from documentary photography to a reflection on leadership, public perception, and the carefully crafted realities of political figures in the digital age.
The exhibition explored the fluid boundary between documentation, theatre, and reality through the concept of “documentation theatre.” During an era of post-structuralism and a redefinition of truth, the exhibition raised important questions about the authenticity of reproduced images. President Tsai Ing-Wen was not simply depicted as a political leader but as a dynamic figure shaped by various societal forces, including media portrayals, academic scrutiny, and public discourse. Through Chu’s lens, the president became a multifaceted symbol, constantly reinterpreted by the world around her.
In addition to manipulating perceptions of time and space, Chu’s curatorial choices enabled the exhibition to be perceived as an interactive event that oscillated between the real and the imagined. Using thoughtful lighting and spatial design, Chu transformed real historical moments into theatrical narratives that enhanced the documentary nature of the photographs. A hallmark of Chu’s curatorial approach is the combination of documentary photography and elements of performance and theatre, where viewing becomes an immersive and participatory experience.
In 2020, Chu will be exhibiting Visualizing the City: Makoto Lin X Taipei 101, an exhibition at Taipei 101 that will showcase her innovative curatorial skills. Taipei’s most famous architectural landmark, Taipei 101, was the focus of this multimedia show. The urban landscape of the city was deconstructed by Chu and Lin using a variety of visual techniques, such as parallax views and mirrored imagery. Viewers were invited to view Taipei’s architecture, culture, and history in a whole new light as a result of this dynamic exploration.
From the observation deck at the top, visitors could view a sprawling urban landscape that reflected memory, culture, and imagination. The exhibition was centered on the concept of “folding,” and Taipei 101 served both as an observer and subject. Chu and Lin’s layered viewing experience challenged audiences to examine how cities are constructed both literally and metaphorically by juxtaposing interior and exterior spaces, present and past. As well as offering new perspectives on Taipei, the show challenged conventional notions of urban representation.
Considering Taipei 101’s symbolic status, Visualizing the City is particularly noteworthy. Chu reframed it as a site for cultural exchange rather than seeing it as a symbol of Taiwan’s modernity and global influence. Through the exhibition, Taipei 101 became more than a tourist attraction, it became a place to reflect on art and culture, putting it on the map as a living part of the city’s history.
The influence Chu has on international artistic communities extends beyond these large-scale projects. Among the exhibitions she participated in as a curator and artist in Istanbul in 2023 and London in 2024 were The Dark Side at Boomer Gallery in London. In addition to bringing meticulous attention to detail to her own creative practice, her photographic work is deeply informed by her curatorial expertise.
Chu’s work reflects a constant interest in how photography transcends its documentary roots to offer deeper, more complex insights. She always engages deeply with the world around her, whether exploring political figures, urban landscapes, or personal themes. Chu consistently invites audiences to engage intellectually and emotionally with her work through her exhibitions.
In the contemporary art world, Jung-Ai Chu has made an undeniable impact. She is able to balance cultural awareness with bold artistic choices. In Chu’s work, viewers are given a chance to consider how art can reshape how we understand reality, representation, and identity by continuously pushing the boundaries of art’s interaction with society.
