International Flight is a seven-metre-long replica aeroplane. Wherever it is exhibited the work is slightly different because of the different types of clothes that are donated in each location for the project. Yin Xiuzhen uses discarded clothes as a way to make intimate connections between different bodies, communities, occupations, locations and experiences.

Similarly, the Portable Cities series uses dirty clothes and discarded materials the artist finds in the cities she’s visiting. 3D models of different cities (include Paris, Lisbon, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, Singapore and New York) are housed inside suitcases.

The works explore the way international travel is increasing people’s knowledge of other cultures and, as a result, brings change to their home cities. “In China, houses are changing to be more like American mansions,” said Yin Xiuzhen. “They want big tall buildings rather than the traditional Chinese house. It is very sad. Because of globalisation, every city is beginning to look the same. Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore are like one identical city now.”

Via variable environment. Interview of the artist on the Sydney Morning Herald.