Over the past two decades— especially in the last five years—the population, demographics, and experiences of Chinese youth studying or working in the U.S. have undergone significant transformations. Living between two superpowers, these individuals navigate the intricate intersections of politics, identity, culture, and lifestyle. Many find themselves in a state of “suspension”—a term borrowed from anthropologist Biao Xiang to describe a condition of perpetual movement and uncertainty.

Sit Down, My Stranger invites audiences to join the dining tables of these individuals in virtual reality. From a first-person perspective. Participants may sit down with strangers, share food, and eavesdrop on conversations about their daily struggles, ambitions, and aspirations. Between diverse dinners captured in both the East and West, the montage-like transitions between tables expose participants to a variety of foods, voices, and narratives, offering a visceral understanding of these “suspended” life situations.

By providing audiences with this immersive experience, this project seeks to foster communication and understanding across individuals in different cultural and political environments, striving to bridge the gaps and offering a space to reflect on shared humanity in a rapidly changing and interconnected world.