1999-2000 Longwood Cyber Resident Artists' Project Statements

Hei Han Khiang // project statement

NW 9 Camp Hei Han Khiang NW 9 Camp One day I was asked to kill a chicken, to make Thai curry. The kitchen was right behind the barracks of the Thai military officers who were in charge of the camp. I'd never killed a chicken before… not even when I'd faced starvation in Cambodia… so I was trying to recall how one killed a chicken… Grab the wings together with the neck, pull out the feather at their throat, and that's where I slit its throat. I had never done it before. After I slit its throat blood spurt out and the chicken kicked strongly enough to run away, its neck dangling from one side to the other and shooting blood. It fell down and got up and tried to fly. I was shocked and realized I'd done a terrible thing. I was so shocked that I ran to get help from the Thai military officers. They came to my aid but by that time the chicken was flat and unmoving on the ground. I proceeded to process and cook the chicken. I at it with the officers and noticed that it had a very strange taste. That night while sleeping I had a dream that turned into a nightmare. I dreamt that I saw the chicken looking angry and larger than life. I recognized it as the chicken I had killed and grew frightened. The chicken approached slowly but I could feel its aggressive energy. I made my move to escape first walking quickly and then breaking into a run. The gigantic chicken merged into a human figure who pulled a gun and pointed it at me. I turned and look as he opened fire. I could see the gun at my head and the bullet coming toward me. I woke up in a sweat, picturing the bullet an inch from my head.

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