Shu Lea Cheang Gives Trans Artists the Wings to Fly

Visitors to the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art in Soho are greeted by a visually striking animated Berlin apartment block. As the scene rotates, a window on the third floor opens, releasing smoke into the sky, which morphs into a six-winged seraphim that flies into another portal. Taiwanese-American artist and filmmaker Shu Lea Cheang's monumental commission, LOVER LOVE, on display through January 3, 2027, explores the lives and aspirations of transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals through the fusion of physical and virtual environments.

As the centerpiece of the museum's largest-ever commission, LOVER LOVE features a 28-minute film showcasing the performances of eight artists, projected across four screens that visitors can manipulate. This interactive experience transforms the exhibition into a dynamic, ever-changing narrative. LOVER LOVE pays homage to Cheang's late friend and collaborator Aérea Negrot, a Venezuelan musician and DJ who took her own life in 2023.

The exhibition serves as a tribute to Negrot, whose spirit is embodied by the seraph's wings that emerge from the window. Cheang's animation features the seraph's wings multiplying, symbolizing Negrot's desire for freedom. Citing Negrot's track "LOVER LOVE," which forms the basis of the film's title, Cheang underscores her friend's belief that she could "fly" into a new reality.

Curation of LOVER LOVE was driven by the desire to work with Cheang, whose pioneering work in new media art challenges the boundaries of digital landscapes and sheds light on institutional oppression and sexual politics. Cheang's portfolio includes notable projects such as Color Schemes (1990), Fresh Kill (1994), and Brandon (1998–99).

The exhibition's creation was further motivated by the rise of anti-trans legislation in the United States, making the subject matter more pressing than ever. Through an open call during her 2024 tour of the U.S., Cheang selected eight intergenerational performers for LOVER LOVE, providing them with an unprecedented platform to share their unique perspectives.

The performances encompass a diverse range of themes, from Azrael Fayme reading their own poem to a consensual BDSM scene involving cactus needles that transforms into a blooming flower. Every aspect of LOVER LOVE demands careful consideration, from the complex technical requirements to the immersive nature of the installation, which encourages viewers to explore multiple interpretations and viewpoints.