Foam Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam Spotlights Pixy Liao's 'Kiss Exam' in 'On Our Radar' Series
Foam Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam continues its "On Our Radar" series, which highlights contemporary photographic talent and thought-provoking works. One recent feature delves into Kiss Exam by Pixy Liao, an intriguing piece that invites viewers to question traditional relationship dynamics. This ongoing series aims to showcase photography that challenges, inspires, and connects, reflecting the diverse landscape of modern visual storytelling. More works from this series can be found through the museum's On Our Radar initiative.
Exploring Pixy Liao's 'Experimental Relationship'
Artist Pixy Liao’s unique perspective on romantic partnerships was influenced by her upbringing in China, where traditional roles often led her to envision a partner as an older mentor or protector. Her move to the United States sparked a new understanding of love, which she began to explore through her art.
Since 2007, Liao has been developing her series, Experimental Relationship, a project that playfully and intimately documents her relationship with her boyfriend, Moro. The core idea behind this work is to challenge and subvert conventional expectations of heterosexual relationships by playing with themes of dominance and submission in unexpected ways.
Deconstructing 'Kiss Exam': Subversion and Viewer Engagement
Within the Experimental Relationship series, Kiss Exam (2015) stands out as a particularly compelling image. It features Liao and Moro engaging in a kiss, with a magnifying glass positioned between them. This element not only frames the intimate moment but also positions the viewer as an "examiner" of their interaction, prompting reflection on the power dynamics at play.
The photograph subtly questions who holds control: while Liao’s enlarged lips through the magnifying glass might suggest dominance, the shutter button was controlled by Moro. This ambiguity invites observers to interpret the dynamics themselves, moving beyond simple notions of female dominance to consider a more complex interplay of roles and gazes within the relationship and the photographic act itself.
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