Miao Ying: Tough Love

MIAO YING 苗颖
TOUGH LOVE 坚强的爱

Einführung: Ruth Noack, Berlin

The Stockholm Syndrome relationship that Miao Ying has developed with China forms the core of her recent work. As a coping mechanism to live with the fact of developing a traumatic bonding with the totalitarian power during the intimate time spent together, Miao Ying has twisted her defense mechanism of the ego under stress, convincing herself it is all tough love after all—being cruel to be kind. These sentimental feelings are not strictly for show, however. Since she often fears that her affection will be perceived as fake, she eventually begins to believe that her positive sentiments are genuine. The Stockholm Syndrome is reflected throughout her most recent solo projects, “Chinternet Plus” commissioned by the New Museum, New York and “Hardcore Digital Detox” commissioned by M+ Museum, Hong Kong. As a member of the first generation who grew up with the open policy of China and the Internet, her work has always reflected the technology of our time and modern China addressed with a thread of humor.

Miao Ying was born 1985 in Shanghai, she lives in New York and Shanghai. She received her BFA from the China Academy of Fine Arts - New Media Arts Department, and her MFA from the School of Art and Design at NYSCC at Alfred University, with a focus in Electronic Integrated Arts. Her works have been shown in China, Taiwan, Europa, USA, on the internet and in the virtual world of Second Life. In 2015, she represented China at the Venice Biennale (Chinese Pavilion) and in 2018, she participated in the Gwangju Biennale, Korea.