Canto Cutie - Volume 2

Face Change “is based on the Beijing
and Sichuan opera tradition of or
“Face Change”, in which a performer
will magically change what mask they
are wearing. In referencing this
tradition, I am hoping to comment on
the cultural code-switching that I
perform as an Asian American.” Can
you talk more about the cultural-code
switching that you do?
I think all people participate in codeswitching
behavior, but that is
especially true for BIPOC. As an Asian
American, I am constantly engaging
with the stereotypes that have been
painted onto me. If I’m in a classroom
discussion, I feel that I need to
participate more and speak my mind so
I don’t fall into the role of the quiet
submissive Asian woman. If I’m with
distant relatives, I’m more reserved and
modestly admit to my academic
accomplishments so I can fit into their
expectations of the polite and
successful immigrant child. If I’m in an
interview, I play up my hard-working
model minority status so I seem fit for
the job.
The only time I can drop the act is
among other Asian Americans. There is
an unspoken understanding that we all
have to fulfill these roles outside of our
safe space together. I think codeswitching
is an innate part of Asian
American identity because of our
liminal existence.
You write that you “face constant
contradictions between wanting to be
proud and critical of both countries” as
red, white, and blue have significance
in both American and Chinese cultures.
Can you talk more about the
contradictions?
Annika Cheng
Face Change
Acrylic yarn