Ping Chong
b. 1946, Toronto, Canada
A Facility for the Channeling and Containment of Undesirable Elements at Artists Space, 1992
Printed matter, photograph documentation
Courtesy Ping Chong and Company

Ping Chong is a theater director and choreographer known for his was born in Toronto, but grew up in Chinatown. As reflected in the performance images, Chong staged avant garde theatrical productions that challenged the boundaries of theater, dance, installation art, and performance works. Lazarus, his first interdisciplinary theater work, debuted in 1972, and spoke to feelings of otherness. The piece was influenced by Chinese opera and puppetry, which were central influences to many later productions.

A Facility for the Channeling and Containment of Undesirable Elements opened at Artist Space in 1992. The work reflects his interest in performance art, in addition to dance. To create the piece, Chong covered the floor in white rock salt and a pool of liquids. Viewers traversed the space via a catwalk above, leaving them to question the contents of the installation below.