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Here’s a revised version that softens the apologetic tone while keeping humility and reflection: In 2016, shortly after Donald Trump’s election, I performed a satirical piece at the Marriage Market in People’s Square, Shanghai, China. This market, where parents arrange marriages for their grown children, became the setting for my question: What is the value of U.S. citizenship under a Trump presidency? Wearing a wedding dress and holding my passport, I offered myself for auction to the highest bidder. Unlike the tradition of a bride price, I proposed an exchange rooted in citizenship—a commodity I was told might hold interest.
I approached the work sincerely and was prepared to marry if someone accepted the offer. However, there were no bids, which itself became a statement of worth open to multiple interpretations. My intent was to use myself as a subject to explore questions about identity, privilege, and Americanness, especially in a rapidly shifting global political climate.
While my intention was to provoke reflection, I recognize that the work may have been read differently within its cultural context. This experience has informed my understanding of the complexities of presenting work across cultures and how framing can influence interpretation. It remains a pivotal moment in my exploration of identity and value as performative acts.
Photos: Geoff Broz
People’s Square, Shanghai China
2017
