Qingyi Ren (任晴宜, They/Them) is a Science and Technology Studies (STS) researcher at Critical Media Lab Basel, a mentor in the MA Transversal Design program at Basel Academy of Art and Design FHNW, and a lecturer in MA Interaction Design at UAL London College of Communication.
Their research examines machine learning and AI as sociotechnical systems, with particular attention to how categories, datasets, and computational practices are produced, negotiated, and situated within specific institutional and cultural contexts. Informed by Science and Technology Studies (STS) and queer studies, their work investigates the politics of classification and knowledge production, as well as the assumptions and forms of normativity embedded in computational systems.
Their PhD project “Queerness as Gap” is funded by The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) from 2024 to 2028.
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ABOUT ME
“See my gender”
June, 2021
In ‘See My Gender’, Qingyi Ren ruminates on the tensions between gender and facial recognition. Framed as a performance for video ‘See My Gender’ sees the artist alter their appearance in the application of various materials including paper, textile, metal, string, and makeup. Throughout the work Ren applies these materials demanding the facial recognition software both recognize and determine them again and again, slowly creating a myriad of portraits that determines Ren only in binary terms. Each time we see Ren indexed across gender, age, and emotional state and each time we encounter the results change. Each appearance is calculated in approximates signaling appearances in terms of percentages. The covering of both eyes and nose see Ren determined to appear female at 89.9% where the application of streaked makeup determines Ren’s appearance as 91% male. Throughout the performance, the artist sits silently looking out to the viewer. The calm and paced application of materials builds throughout the video wherein the final moment's Ren’s face is completely covered. In these final shots, it is only the viewer who is required to recognize Ren and in these final moments, we linger viewing Ren who no longer views themselves but is left to be viewed, to be determined, recognized, constructed, even by others.
“See my gender“- Queer Chinese Art Festival, London, UK – August 28th – September 6th, 2021.
Safe Distance Artist talk - Gay Liberation Front & Queer China UK, London, UK- October 4th, 2021.