Treated more as an aesthetic, instead of a language, Chinese characters have made an impact on visual cultures of the West. Many fashion brands capitalize on the beauty of Chinese symbols and slap them on garments simply because they “look cool.” Westerners like to have Chinese tattoos without actually knowing the cultural context they carry, and sometimes even the actual meaning of the words.

Often these attempts of participation and cultural appropriation do not have malicious intent, but their presentation is fraught with misinterpretation and ignorance. To create an open dialogue on how the West is capitalizing on the “exotic charm” of the Chinese language, this project presents a conceptual space by transforming the Aidekman Art Gallery into the “No. 1 Best Chinese Tattoo Shop.”

The aesthetic of the space reflects a combination of elements gathered from Chinese restaurants, tattoo parlors and manicure shops. The intention of creating this atmosphere is to play with Westerners’ stereotypical point of views towards Asian elements and Chinese culture. It also creates a conversation on how Chinese and American culture have intersected and interrelated under the influence of globalization.