WHO COUNTS AS ASIAN?

WHO COUNTS AS ASIAN?

WHO COUNTS AS ASIAN?

A multimedia series highlighting the diversity of Asian identities and challenging how the American Media defines “Asian”. Exhibited at Hartnett Gallery and ASIS Gallery


Role: Art Director, Photographer, Graphic Designer

THE PROBLEM​​​​​​​


The current racial categorization system in America fails to accurately represent the diversity of Asian identities and reinforces racial stereotypes by categorizing individuals based solely on skin color and external features. Asia is a continent made up of 5 regions with dozens of countries, each with their own unique culture and tradition, therefore "Asian" should be a broader term. According to the 2016 National Asian American Survey, a majority of the Black, White, and Latino respondents regarded East Asians or Asian Americans, but when they were asked about South, Southeast, Central, and West Asians, people were more resistant to inclusion.

THE PROBLEM​​​​​​​


The current racial categorization system in America fails to accurately represent the diversity of Asian identities and reinforces racial stereotypes by categorizing individuals based solely on skin color and external features. Asia is a continent made up of 5 regions with dozens of countries, each with their own unique culture and tradition, therefore "Asian" should be a broader term.

EMPATHIZING


I ask my friends from the University of Rochester who identify themselves as Asians or Asian Americans to share their own stories and struggles about growing up in America.

THE WORK


This project was a culmination of one month of dedicated effort, starting from the challenging task of selecting 13 individuals to represent 13 distinct Asian countries and four regional cultures. The process of acquiring and coordinating the traditional dresses and costumes was a formidable endeavor. I even sought the assistance of friends who kindly asked their parents to ship Hanbok and Hanfu garments from various countries to facilitate the photo shoot.

East Asia is the eastern region of Asia, which is defined in both geographical and ethno-cultural terms. The modern states of East Asia include China, Japan, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong (debatable).

South Asia, subregion of Asia, consisting of the Indo-Gangetic Plain and peninsular India. It includes the countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and the Maldives are often considered part of South Asia as well.

Southeast Asia is the geographical southeastern subregion of Asia, consisting of the regions that are south of China, south-east of the Indian subcontinent and north-west of Australia. It is composed of eleven countries of impressive diversity in religion, culture and history: Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
West Asia region comprises 12 member countries: Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, State of Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates and Yemen (According to UNEP).
The end.
The end.
The end.

OHTER PROJECTS

OHTER PROJECTS

OHTER PROJECTS

OHTER PROJECTS

Nice to meet you :)

ntran8@u.rochester.edu

This website is best viewed on Laptop

Made with love @2024 Tran Khoi Nguyen

Nice to meet you :)

ntran8@u.rochester.edu

This website is best viewed on Laptop

Made with love @2024 Tran Khoi Nguyen