Luxi Yin
Hide the Elephant —— Exploring Queer Typography in Chinese Context
Summary
Hide the Elephant
—— Exploring Queer Typography in Chinese Context
This practice-based research aims to explore the meaning and feasibility of queer typography within the Chinese context. It seeks to understand the significance and value of queer typography in counter-narrative design. Additionally, this study examines the field of visual communication in China from a counter-narrative perspective, challenging traditional norms and fostering inclusivity. Through this exploration, the research endeavours to highlight how queer typography can contribute to diverse and inclusive visual communication practices in China.
Queer typography is an exploration and expression in the field of font design and typography that challenges traditional visual design norms by incorporating the core principles of queer theory, advocating for diversity and inclusivity. It is not merely an innovation in design form; it represents a stance of resistance and questioning of existing social structures, particularly against heteronormativity, gender binarism, and other forms of oppression.
Additional info
I named the practice "Hide the Elephant". Because it is the best expression of anti-mainstream narrative design in the Chinese context. Whether it is an expression of the attitude towards queer typography in this study, it is also a metaphor for the queer community. The issue of queerness has never been seriously discussed in the context of Chinese design or even the mainstream narrative in general due to a variety of complex reasons. The Chinese government's attitude towards the queer community has been one of indifference, neither supporting nor strongly opposing it. The Chinese queers are closely tied to the internet, as the anonymity of the internet gives them a greater sense of security and privacy. Social opinion has become more open and tolerant since the millennial generation was influenced by Western culture, but the discussion of gender perceptions and the level of protection for queers are still far from adequate. The issue of queerness is like an elephant in the room of Chinese public opinion, visible to many, but one that the government chooses to avoid talking about.
This often results in tense family relationships for Chinese queer individuals. I aim to express these emotions through queer typography. By leveraging native speakers' sensory perception of Chinese character structures and recombining the characters to create forms that appear almost like characters but are not, I intend to achieve a meaningful form of gibberish—an expression of emotion and attitude. It can also be seen as a piece of calligraphy that resembles Chinese characters.
The Queer Typography of Poetry
I often ponder seemingly useless questions,
Some choices weigh heavy in life, though devoid of right or wrong.
My parents always say, "Do what you need to do at the right time."
What time is it now?
What should I be doing?
Now it's
The year 2024,
The Lunar Year of the Water Rabbit,
Reiwa 6 in Japan,
...
Mom, Dad, what should I be doing?
I'm not sure when it began,
But it seems I've gathered some
entanglements and secrets.
Some “dirty,” “abnormal,”
“irrational,” “crazy” things.I dare not speak of them,
So they slowly pile up in the corners of our home,
Gradually growing into an elephant.
... Mom. ... Dad?
There's an elephant in our house.
The elephant stands on all fours, growing stronger each year.
My parents never speak of the elephant,
But I've seen it in their furrowed brows.
The elephant stays silent, swelling more each day.
My parents never speak of the elephant,
But I've seen it in the reflection of their eyes.
The elephant sits on the ground, ignored by all.
Mom... Dad... there's an elephant in the house.
Mom, Dad, there's an elephant in the house.
Queerness and Code
Queerness has always been associated with codes, with hiding, deciphering, and strategic revealing.
Queer groups often have their own idioms so that they can converse without being understood by outsiders, and one prominent example of this is Polari, a language used mainly by gay men in the UK in the 20th century. People used it for a number of reasons: as a form of protection and confidentiality - it excludes outsiders, who can't know what you're talking about, and allows the queer community to hide their sexual orientation. It can be used to talk about others when they are present, or as a form of offence to insult or humiliate others. It is a form of humour and exaggeration and a way of getting people into the gay or theatre subculture. It allows users to construct a view of reality based on their own values, or to give names to things not yet recognised by mainstream culture (such as certain forms of gay sex).[ Baker, Paul. 2003. ‘Polari - the Lost Language of Gay Men’ ]
Another interesting example is Anne Lister's diary. Lister employed two distinct methods of concealment in her diaries and correspondence with her lovers: first, she wrote in her unique “crypt hand”; second, she used her own terminology and expressions to describe her relationships with women. Over her lifetime, Lister composed a five-million-word diary, which commenced in 1806 as scraps of paper documenting coded messages exchanged with Eliza Raine. This eventually evolved into 26 quarto volumes, concluding with her death in 1840. This code combined elements of the Greek alphabet, zodiac symbols, punctuation marks, and mathematical symbols. The encrypted portions of the diary provide explicit and detailed accounts of Lister’s lesbian identity, her romantic and sexual affairs, and the strategies she employed in her seductions.
Beyond her encrypted writings, the diaries offer a comprehensive view of Lister’s thoughts on a variety of subjects, including the weather, social gatherings, national events, and her business endeavors. Although a significant portion of the diaries delves into her daily life, they are not solely focused on her sexuality. Instead, they serve as a rich source of information on the social, political, and economic landscape of her time.
Queer Typography Workshop
In order to further explore the viability and possibilities of queer typography in the Chinese context, I organised a small workshop at the Royal College of Art's Kensington campus at the end of May.
This workshop aimed to integrate the core concepts of queer theory into Chinese type design, challenging traditional typographic norms and constraints to promote diversity and inclusivity in visual expression. The workshop participants included type designers, visual artists, and individuals interested in queer theory. Through a series of lectures, case studies, group discussions, and practical design exercises, I helped participants understand and apply queer theory. During the design practice sessions, participants were encouraged to innovate boldly, breaking away from traditional Chinese character design constraints to create queer typefaces with personal characteristics and diverse expressions. Through mid-term reviews and final presentations, participants not only showcased their design achievements but also shared their thoughts and insights gained during the design process.
Queer Typography Zine
After experimenting with the form of poetry, I found it to be a very harmonious combination with queer typography. Queerness itself is ambiguous and indistinct, much like poetry.
Ultimately, I compiled part of my research and practical exploration on queer typography into a zine.
The choice of zine as a format for compiling my research and practical exploration on queer typography stems from several reasons. Firstly, zines are known for their DIY (do-it-yourself) ethos and accessibility, making them ideal for disseminating niche or alternative content such as queer typography. They offer a platform that is often independent of traditional publishing channels, allowing for more creative freedom and direct engagement with the audience.
Additionally, zines are typically compact and portable, making them easy to distribute and share among targeted communities or audiences interested in LGBTQ+ issues or typography design. This accessibility helps in reaching a broader audience and fostering discussions and awareness around queer typography and its cultural significance.
