Conversations at the Edge

Jiayi Chen’s luminous films and multi-projector performances attune viewers to forest ecologies, seasonal cycles, and the reciprocal relationships between flora, fauna, and land.

Originally from Chongqing in southwest China and now living between Chicago and Houston, the artist and filmmaker brings her films and expanded-cinema performances to the Thursday, March 26 for VOLCANOES, MOUNTAINS, FORESTS: MALENA SZLAM AND JIAYI CHEN.

More information and tickets at the link in our bio

Jiayi Chen is an artist, filmmaker, and projectionist working at the intersection of analog film, performance, and installation. Her practice explores perception, translation, and environmental attunement. Through expanded-cinema and photochemical film processes, Chen approaches filmmaking as a durational and relational act.

Her work has been exhibited and screened internationally at festivals and venues including the International Film Festival Rotterdam, New York Film Festival, Cineteca Madrid, Fracto Experimental Film Encounter (Berlin), MONO NO AWARE (New York), Chicago Cultural Center, Harkat Studios (Mumbai), Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, and Anthology Film Archives (New York).

IMAGES: 1. Jiayi Chen; 2. Detail, SEE THROUGH THE HOLLOWED BLUE HELLEBORE, 2026; 3. Detail, MOUNDS ABOVE THE EARTH, 2025.