Tomato Republic, Haoyang Zhao
Opening Reception: March 17th, 2017. 6pm-9pm
On Display March 17th, 2017 – April 2, 2017

SPECTRE Arts, Durham, NC
1004 Morning Glory Ave., Durham, NC 27701
919-213-1441
info@spectrearts.org

Tomato Republic explores the physical and intangible boundaries between the physical objects of representation and the virtual images of consumption. With a large-scale photo book that pays homage to Sumo and Genesis, the artist presents himself, the corporeal body that animates the still book object through performance/ritual in the gallery, calling attention to cultural nuances between the East and the West. Audiences are invited to the opening (March 17) and closing (April 2) receptions to experience an augmented reality display of artworks, as an act of embracing the technological frontiers of representation. Haoyang will also be presenting a series of book projects and zines. Additionally, AR display and performance are available for appointment between March 18 and April 1.

Haoyang Zhao was born and raised in Xi’an, China. After four years of high school in Singapore, he moved to London to study Economics, while also working as a freelance photographer and cinematographer for a student feature film ACT I. In 2013 Haoyang attended Georgetown University as an exchange student, studying photography and film studies alongside courses in economics and political science. He now serves as the Project Manager for Social Practice Lab at Franklin Humanities Institute. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from University College London, and is expected to graduate from the Master of Fine Arts in Experimental and Documentary Arts program at Duke University in May, 2017.

Haoyang has worked with film, video and photography. His photographic mural Triptych(Faces) adorns the new Duke West Union Building, and he had his first solo exhibition in 2016 in the Installation Array at Smith Warehouse, Duke University, where he incorporates light-box, mural prints, 3D prints and found objects. He is now working towards his thesis exhibition, Tomato Republic, on view at SPECTRE Arts from March 17 to April 2, 2017.