Kungfu Husle Landlady
2024

Kung Fu Hustle Landlady
2024
Inkjet print, holographic card, fans, string
An archway of sparkly pinwheels with blades shaped like flip-flop-wearing running legs, based on the iconic Landlady character from Steven Chow’s classic movie Kung Fu Hustle (2004). In this comedic homage to the tropes and archetypes of Hong Kong Martial arts cinema Chow creates a cartoon-esque scene in which the Landlady chases the hero of the story and her legs turn into a turbine of high speed. She is beloved for her stoic, tough physicality and robust martial arts skills that defy the Western decorative feminine stereotypes that Anne Anlin Cheng’s 2018 book Ornamentalism identifies and critiques. The pinwheels are strung together and hung above head height to create an awning reminiscent of lanterns in a temple or street festival, and are then dramatically lit and activated periodically by fans.
Courtplay
Hartwig Art Foundation Parnassusweg 220, Amsterdam
12 — 13 jan 2024
photos: Maarten Nauw


