Let's Hold Hands
Let’s Hold Hands! is a performance project in which the public was asked to be participated in. It was designed to connect me with random people in neighborhoods inviting them also to get to know each other. The performances took place in July 2021 in lower Manhattan, as part of a two-person show at the HOME gallery. After my second vaccination in May, I started this project to reconnect with other New Yorkers. At the beginning of COVID, I was scared to go outside and meet people, not only because of the disease but also the fear of being attacked as an Asian. I felt vulnerable and unprotected. After being vaccinated, I faced my fear to be connected with people through this performance.
For the performance, I made a garment that connects two sleeves. The printed image on the sleeves is of my hands. I wore this garment with another performer and walked around the gallery and Lower Manhattan, asking strangers to hold hands with us and talk. I asked simple getting to know you questions to begin conversations with total strangers. With this performance, I overcame my isolation and fear by discovering connections with random New Yorkers.
