Guanyu Xu discussed his three visits to Hong Kong, where he focused on creating his "Resident Aliens" project and preparing for the exhibition. The trip allowed him to reconnect with Asia and experience the tropical weather and cultural vibrancy of Hong Kong.
In the interview, Guanyu Xu spoke about growing up in a traditional family in Beijing, and how those backgrounds have influenced the themes in his artistic practice around issues like sexuality and immigrant status. He also talked about how his "Resident Aliens" project in Hong Kong involved setting up photo installations in the homes of three temporary residents, exploring the complexities of immigration in the city. They are a Filipino helper, a mainland Chinese scholar, and a forcibly-displaced Egyptian asylum seeker.
Guanyu Xu also shared his new "Traversable Landscape" series, and how he used personal visa paperwork and cell phone photos of the California landscape to reflects on governmental control over people through his art. “I always end up thinking about my projects “photographically” and photography is a medium that produces knowledge and power. Even though a few of my works are devoid of images, they still relate to photography.” He mentioned plans to continue expanding the "Resident Aliens" project while also exploring the concept of "border architecture." In the concluding remarks, Guanyu Xu encouraged other young artists to grapple with personal and political issues together.
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