I am an expat from Shenzhen, China and currently based in Los Angeles pursuing a BA in Communication and a BFA in Fine Arts. My current practice concerns an investigation into toilets (private and public) as a social site, and in particular the sexual and political activities that take place in it (let’s dissect it!) I’m making sculptures, photographs and performances around it. Living-wise, I’ve been living communally since middle school, and only recently moved into my own space. That said, I’m generally low maintenance and get along with people well. I am gay and I am open to meet other queer people & new experiences through Couchsurfing. Also want to be upfront if it matters to you in any way.

@saywemetinwholefoods on Instagram

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I often travel solo and on a budget. I’ve been living in hostels for the most part to meet new people but it really is one of those things that are better in your head than in practice. Someone I befriended while traveling. told me he’s been Couchsurfing for a while and has generally positive experiences. He’s also kept in contact in with servers of the hosts. Why not give it a try, I think.

Interests

I am somewhat an avid filmgoer, reader, traveler and culture participant. As part of my art practice (and just in life in general), I tend to keep an open door to new things & people because you’d never know when inspiration would hit you.

• arts
• contemporary art
• modern art
• photography
• music festivals
• politics
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• music
• anthropology
• philosophy
• sociology
• queer
• museums
• queer studies
• queer culture

Music, Movies, and Books

I listen to a wide range of music within certain genres - alternative pop, contemporary R&B and (a little bit of) techno. Depending on my mood I could be caught dancing with myself to Hercules & Love Affair or texting some love interest to NAO. For fun, I watch a lot of narrative cinema. I’ve found cinema to be my best escape from reality, and I’m most drawn surreal, mysterious filmmaking and actors who embrace such qualities. Recently, I’m fascinated by director Yorgos Lanthimos and I believe in whatever projects Tilda Swinton takes on. I watch a good amount of art films/video art pieces for classes and my own art practice as well. I try to maintain a balance between reading for class and reading for fun, which sometimes bleed into each other. I’ve been reading a lot of critical theories as part of my studies, but I’ve grown to like the writings of Barthes and Foucault, who, as I endearingly said, write like philosophers trying to rap. A Lover’s Discourse: Fragments has become a central text in some of my works, and I actively engage in Foucaultian and Latourian theories when dealing with public restrooms in my practice. I tend to read fictions when I’m on public transit. I’m on my fourth novel this year - which is a record in recent years. Currently reading Killing Commendatore, the latest book by Haruki Murakami, and the last novel I finished was Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi and I absolutely loved it.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I won a scholarship that pays me to travel (back) to China and take pictures of toilets (more on this in person, if interested).

Teach, Learn, Share

Here’s a list of things I can potentially teach: Mandarin Chinese, wood shop, basic construction skills, clay hand-building (p.s. not pottery), mold making (?), photography and editing, basic Adobe Suite skills, fun facts about toilets, and more to be discovered. I am fairly open to new experiences and willing to learn whatever you’d offer. Phrases in a foreign language would always help, and I have no experience with instruments whatsoever.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I travel light, but let me know if you’d like for me to chip in food or anything during my stay. I also would share my books if you find them interesting, and I’m always down to exchange/give away (I don’t mind buying the same book twice, weirdly).

Countries I’ve Visited

China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands, Peru, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, United States