Since 2001, Lana Lin and H. Lan Thao Lam have developed projects that raise questions about nationalism and national identity, the contingency of memory, and the haunting of daily life by the specter of war, militarism, and socio-political inequities. Inspired by a particular site, historical incident, or political issue, their work emerges from the interrelation between current events and residues of the past. Trained in architecture, H. Lan Thao Lam uses photography, sculpture, and installation to address social memories of time and place. Informed by critical cinema, Lana Lin is interested in the processes of identification.

Lin + Lam’s projects have taken shape in sculptural forms, full-scale installations, 16mm film, photography, writing, and performance. The environments the artists construct, whether physical or psychic, invite viewers into an excavation process in which they may contemplate the inscription of history, power, desire and memory. The collaborative team will speak about their working process, which evolves from in depth research to determining the form most appropriate to each project.

Lin + Lam’s work has been exhibited at international venues including the New Museum, The Kitchen, and the Queens Museum, New York, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco, Arko Arts Center (Korean Arts Council,) Seoul, the Oberhausen Short Film Festival, Germany, and the 3rd Guangzhou Triennial, China.