Wu Tsang facts for kids

Wu Tsang (born in 1982 in Worcester, Massachusetts) is a talented filmmaker, artist, and performer. She lives and works in New York and Berlin. Her art often explores stories that have been forgotten or hidden. She also looks at how people perform and express themselves. In 2018, Wu Tsang received a special award called the MacArthur "genius" grant.

Wu Tsang explains that her films, videos, and performances explore the "in-between" spaces. This means she looks at ideas and people that can't be easily put into just two categories, like "good" or "bad." Her films often mix storytelling with real-life events, so they are a bit like both fiction and documentary.

Her projects have been shown in many famous museums around the world. These include the Tate Modern in London, the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, and the Whitney Museum in New York. She also took part in big art shows like the Whitney Biennial in 2012.

Education

Wu Tsang studied art at two well-known universities. She earned her first degree, a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), in 2004 from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Later, she received her Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in 2010 from the University of California at Los Angeles.

Work

Films and Art

Wu Tsang creates films and art that make people think. She often tells stories about communities and experiences that are not always seen or heard.

Wildness Documentary

One of Wu Tsang's most famous films is a documentary called Wildness. This film is about a historic bar in Los Angeles called "Silver Platter." This bar has been a special place for the Latin LGBT community since 1963. Wu Tsang directed and produced Wildness, which shows what happens when a group of young artists start a weekly performance night at the bar.

The film explores how these two groups connect and sometimes clash. It asks important questions about what makes a community and who belongs in a space. Wu Tsang has said that the film shows people who are often misunderstood, like people of color and those from queer communities. She wanted to make sure she told their stories respectfully. She worked with people like poet Fred Moten and performance artist boychild on this film. Wildness premiered at the Museum of Modern Art in 2012.

Short Films

Wu Tsang has made several interesting short films:

• Under Cinema (2017): This film follows R&B singer Kelela and explores her life as a Black artist. It's filmed closely with a handheld camera. The film shows Kelela at a festival, in the studio, and sharing her thoughts. A memorable part is when Kelela talks about how the music industry sometimes uses the "culture" that people of color bring.
• Duilian (2015): This film tells the story of Qiu Jin, a Chinese feminist and revolutionary. She was executed at age 31 for trying to start a revolution against the Qing dynasty. The film also highlights her close bond with calligrapher Wu Zhuying. Wu Tsang plays Wu Zhuying, and Boychild plays Qiu Jin. The film uses Qiu Jin's poems and Wushu Martial Arts to create powerful scenes.
• You're Dead to Me (2013): This film is set in suburban California. It's about a mother who is dealing with the loss of her child. On the night before Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), she gets a special choice. The film was shown at many film festivals and won awards, including best short film.
• Tied and True (2012): This film was co-written with Nana Oforiatta-Ayim. It takes place in a made-up African city after colonial rule. It tells the story of two people who fall in love but face many challenges. The film explores ideas about fitting in, being different, and racism.
• Mishima in Mexico (2012): This film stars Alex Segade and Wu Tsang. It was inspired by a 1950 novel. The story is set in Mexico City, where a writer and director work on their creative projects together. They bring ideas from the novel into their own work and lives.

Feature Films

• MOBY DICK; or, The Whale (2022): This is a 75-minute silent film that plays with live orchestra music. It's a new version of Herman Melville's famous 1851 book, Moby-Dick. Wu Tsang's film looks at the story from a different point of view, thinking about colonialism and power. In her film, the ship's crew includes people of different genders and backgrounds. The main characters, Ishmael and Queequeg, are shown as close companions. The film premiered in 2022 and has been shown in museums.

Art Installations

• Moved by the Motion (2014–2015) is a series of performances and artworks by Wu Tsang. These works blend fiction and real life. It included a live performance in 2014 and a video art display in a museum exhibition in 2015.

Awards and Honors

Wu Tsang has received many awards for her creative work. In 2012, Filmmaker Magazine named her one of the "25 New Faces of Independent Film." Her film Wildness won the Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Documentary at Outfest 2012.

Also in 2012, her art was shown in important exhibitions like the Whitney Biennial. She received the Foundation for Contemporary Arts Grants to Artists award in 2013. In 2014, her work was part of the "Made in L.A." art show at the Hammer Museum. She also won a Creative Capital Award in 2015. In 2018, Wu Tsang was honored with the prestigious MacArthur Genius Award.

Filmography

• Wildness
• Mishima in Mexico
• Tied and True
• You're Dead to Me
• Duilian
• Under Cinema

See also

• List of transgender film and television directors