Miss Ruthless Promotional Image, Designed by Eric Hu and Matthew Tsang
無情小姐宣傳圖，由胡師堯和曾頌恩設計
Amna Asghar, Doreen Chan, Viola Chen, Dachal Choi, COME INSIDE, Eternal Dragonz, Jes Fan, Christopher K. Ho, Eisa Jocson, Linda C.H. Lai, Fiona Lee, Ma Qiusha, Hương Ngô, Ngoc Nau, Xiaoshi Vivian Vivian Qin, Renee So, Salote Tawale, Hiram To, Ka-Man Tse, Wong Kit Yi, Kristina Wong, Xiyadie, Yu Shuk Pui Bobby
Jes Fan, “Disposed to Add”, Silicone barbell, silicone weight plates, testosterone-based soap hand weights, bath towels, iPad, performance, 140 x 200 cm, 2017
Jes Fan，《義肢》，矽膠槓鈴，矽膠槓片，含睾酮肥皂手槓，浴巾，iPad，表演，140 x 200 釐米，2017
Curated by Hera Chan and David Xu BorgonjonIn Search of Miss Ruthless sets the stage for a public persona from the future. Miss Ruthless, as a figure of popular support, represents “our beautiful Hong Kong up on the world stage,” as the lyric from Hong Kong Our Home indicates. In the 1970s, Hong Kong saw the simultaneous rise of broadcast television and the formation of Miss Hong Kong and later Miss Chinese International—which incorporated existing overseas pageants—connecting diasporic communities through mainstream culture in a network of attachment. Just as the pageant queen represents the social body politically, perhaps the search for a Miss Ruthless can hold space for queer life and illuminate histories of invisible labour.
Ngoc Nau, “She Dances for Desire”, Holographic installation, 3 x 2 x 5 m, 2017
Ngoc Nau，《她為慾望舞動》，全息圖裝置，3 x 2 x 5 米，2017
The commissioned and previously unexhibited work by 23 artists are inspired by the media infrastructure that frames a pageant queen. In Search of Miss Ruthless also includes archival documents, an experimental audio guide, two web projects focussed on the visual identity of Miss Ruthless, and the tenure of an experimental Director of Communications. This curatorial proposal was chosen from an international pool through Para Site’s Emerging Curators program, now in its third year. Public programmes are developed and co-produced with the generous support of Spring Workshop. Additional support was provided by the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art.
Ka-Man Tse, “Untitled”, 41 x 51 cm, Photography, 2015
謝嘉敏，《無題》，攝影，41 x 51 釐米，2015
Kristina Wong, “Fannie Wong Former Miss Chinatown 2nd, Runner Up: Chinese New Year Parade, Enlarged Photo/ Framed, 2012
黄君仪，《前中国城小姐亚军Fannie Wong春节游行》，放大照片，画框，2012
Related Programmes
Miss Ruthless: A Press Conference
July 2, 6:30 pm – late
Spring Workshop
(3/F Remex Centre, 42 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong)
A performance in the style of a pageant press conference with participating artists as contestants—whether they appear as themselves or send representatives—hosted by Ruthless Director of Communications Xiaoshi Vivian Vivian Qin. Followed by a party celebrating this debut with Eternal Dragonz, featuring x/o (producer of Miss Ruthless theme song), V Kim (producer, co-founder of Eternal Dragonz), and T0C1S x Tsalal (Absurd Trax/ HKCR).
Miss Ruthless With A Smile
July 9, 3:00 – 8:00 pm
Ullens Center for Contemporary Art
(798 Art District, No. 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China 100015)
“Pageantry as Curatorial Method,” discussion between Hera Chan, Alvin Li, and David Xu Borgonjon; lecture performances by Eisa Jocson and Dachal Choi, screening by Ma Qiusha
tide.hong kong : in transit
July 23, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Harbourfront Whampoa
Sound performance by Fiona Lee, followed by walking tour
Heavy Lifting With Miss Ruthless
August 12, 11:00 – 5:00 pm
Spring Workshop
(3/F Remex Centre, 42 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong)
“Feminine Essence,” estrogen workshop with Jes Fan and Mary Maggic; “Muscle as Medium,” body building workshop taught by Siufung Law; “Disposed to Add,” performance directed by Jes Fan
New Women
August 26, 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Para Site
Reading of an adapted play by Hương Ngô
Pièce Touchée
September 10, 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Para Site
Screening curated by Alvin Li with works by Wang Haiyang, Tao Hui, Evelyn Taocheng Wang, Shen Xin
Closing Reception and Unveiling of the Crown
September 10, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Para Site
Curator Tours:
July 23, 2:00 pm (English)
August 19, 1:00 pm (English)
August 26, 1:00 pm (Mandarin)
September 10, 1:00 pm (Cantonese)
