In Chain Reaction, Cao Fei articulates her interest in urban youth culture, working with cosplayers to probe the darker side of human nature. Filmed in a surreal hospital setting, the video shows two actors in heavy theatre make-up and lab coats performing medical procedures such as injections, operations, and blood tests. In a particularly gruesome turn, the cosplayers dissect a pig and serve its innards in a martini glass. The eerie soundtrack accentuates the atmosphere of unease. The work’s transgressive imagery hints at a deep hostility to mainstream culture and common values.
Cao Fei (born 1978, Guangzhou) graduated from Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts in 2001. She is known for her video, multimedia installation, and Internet work that reflects the rapid and chaotic urbanisation occurring in Chinese society. Cao lives and works in Beijing.