Peer Review for Han Qiu
Han Qiu’s blog represents a sophisticated evolution from an art history student to a critical curator. Her work is characterized by a rigorous synthesis of sociopolitical theory and digital ethics, treats the exhibition space as a site for urgent socio-political inquiry.
1.Strengths:
Professional Operationality : The Week 6 Pitch is a standout. Including a detailed budgetand a multi-layered public program (AI Identity workshop, Data Ethics Lab) is a masterstroke. It demonstrates that curating is a production of social relations and financial logistics, not just selecting pretty things.
Ethical Depth: The Week 9 post on “Anti-ableist practice” is a heavy-hitter. She argues that representation without material change is meaningless, showing demonstrating a deep commitment to accessibility .pushes . This pushes the boundaries of curating into the realm of social activism, reflecting deeply on accessibility and structural exclusion.She focuses on “fixed fees” for artists and “accessibility” in proves that she understands the curator’s role as a responsible mediator, not just a content selector.
Theoretical Grist: Qiu doesn’t just mention names; she synthesizes theories like Foucault’s Panopticon or Ana Bilbao’s SVAOs to justify her curatorial choices. Qiu’s move from “Algorithm Gaze” to “Anti-ableist Practice” shows deep intellectual growth.
Narrative Cohesion: The blog transitions naturally from institutional critique to technological critique and finally to accessibility, forming a logically self-consistent research loop.
2.Areas for Further Strengthening
Visual Annotation :While the blog images are evocative, they lack visual critical annotations. As a curator, Qiu should mark up these images to show the reader exactly what her curatorial gaze is identifying.
The Sensory Gap: The blog is intellectually dense but could be more grounded in sensory experience. For a physical exhibition at Summer hall, how do we make the “Algorithmic Gaze” feel visceral? More diagrams on lighting, sound, and audience flow would bridge this gap.
Deeper Cross-disciplinary Dialogue: In the Week 5 dialogue with CAP students, the author could further analyze how artists reciprocally shape the curatorial logic, rather than recording the conversation process.
Metaphorical Connection: The link between AI surveillance and the Ji Ju collective theme could be tightened. How does an algorithm inhabit or displace a migrant body?
3.Lessons & Reflections for My Project
Digital vs. Material: Qiu’s digital “shell” (the algorithm) perfectly complements my focus on physical “shells” (materiality). It’s a reminder that as “sojourners,” we inhabit both physical and data-driven structures.
Real-World Survival: Her focus on funding sources, Creative Scotland, is a reality check. It has pushed me to be more realistic about the logistics and costs of my own artist selection.
Archive as Care: Her concept of “writing in the margins” in week 8 encourages me to embrace fragmentation. Instead of forcing a perfect linear logic, I can allow my blog to be a research site that evolves, much like the Ji ju spirit of movement.
Research vs. Conclusion: Qiu’s view of the exhibition as an evolving research site rather than a finished product challenges my own goal-oriented approach to exhibition-making.
