ANGEL CHEN

Artificial Peace. An installation and performance by Angel Chen.

"Nature and culture, life and death, light and shadow --

these are a few of the prevailing themes explored in my work. For "Artificial Peace",
Siamese Fighting Fish are placed in self-contained vessels of glass and water. 
These vessels are placed on top of reflective mirror, transposing light -- 
reflecting and refracting it onto the walls.

Symbolized architectural separation brings about subtle tension
as the resplendent natural born killers swim silently amongst themselves in artificial peace,
where they would naturally fight to the death. There is a performative element where I feed the fish worms.

The act of consumption is dramatized by the light and shadows,
as predator eats prey."