Jason Yi was born in Korea but moved to the United States when he was eleven. Much of his work stems from his inquiry into Asian and American cultures. Recently, after a series of residencies in China, Yi has explored Chinese folklore and its influence over other Asian cultures.
The Legend of the White Snake has many versions in both Chinese and popular culture. In summary, the tale involves an immortal who, although actually a white snake, transforms into a young woman and falls in love with a mortal man. This human has no idea that the woman he married is actually a white snake. Her true identity reveals itself, and he is literally shocked to death when he finds out. In some tales, they have a child, and through struggles with other gods, the white snake is able to reclaim her husband and child. In other versions, the white snake is punished for thinking she could marry or love a mortal. The implications of this story involve social order, race, and love—all topics which can be linked both to Yi’s installation in the Triennial and, more generally, to contemporary life.
