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Hollywood Hills, CA

Artist Tseng Kwong Chi (American, born Hong Kong, 1950 - 1990)
Date1979; printed 2016
MediumGelatin silver print
DimensionsImage: 15 1/16 × 15 inches (38.26 × 38.1 cm)
Sheet: 20 × 16 inches (50.8 × 40.64 cm)
Credit LineGift of the Hall Family Foundation
Object number2016.75.296
SignedEstate stamp on sheet verso, center, in black ink: “From the Estate of TSENG KWONG CHI © Muna Tseng Dance Projects, Inc.”; Signed on sheet verso, center, in black pen: “Muna Tseng”
InscribedOn sheet verso, center, in black pen: “silver gelatin, selenium-toned / Printed 2016 / Hollywood Hills, California 1979”
MarkingsEditioned on sheet verso, center, in black pen: “13/25”
Edition/State/Proofed. 13/25
On View
Not on view
Collections
DescriptionImage of a man in military style dress standing in front of a hill with the Hollywood sign and clear sky in the background. He wears an ID badge clipped to his left breast pocket.Gallery Label

In his series East Meets West, the artist Tseng Kwong Chi plays the character of a fictional Chinese ambassador. He photographs himself at U.S. and European cultural landmarks, such as the famous Hollywood sign seen in this image, dressed in a Chairman Mao-style worker suit and sunglasses. Though the artist assumes the role of a touring emissary, his "mission" remains uncertain: is he a tourist, a spy, or an alien presence? The artist leaves such questions open-ended.

Provenance
The Hall Family Foundation, Kansas City, MO, 2016;   
Their gift to The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, 2016.
Copyright© Estate of Tseng Kwong Chi / Muna Tseng Dance Projects, Inc., New York
Information about a particular artwork or image, including provenance information, is based upon historic information and may not be currently accurate or complete. Research on artwork and images is an ongoing process, and the information about a particular artwork or image may not reflect the most current information available to the Museum. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about a particular artwork or image, please e-mail provenance@nelson-atkins.org.


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