Women Speaks-Virtual Museum

In recent years, the feminist movement has frequently become a focal point of public discussion, with an increasing number of people beginning to pay attention and participate in this important issue. As societal awareness awakens, topics of gender equality and women's rights have gradually risen to the forefront of the global agenda. 

Inspired by Audre Lorde's poem "A Woman Speaks," Qianxi Liu has utilized a variety of digital technologies (Unity, Adobe Audition, Blender, Coding) to create a virtual world museum, "Women Speak," that records some important women's rights activities from ancient times to the present. Set against a backdrop of the starry sky, with a model of Earth at its center to symbolize the global sisterhood of women, players can navigate around the Earth using their mouse. Milestones in contrasting black and white record events where women's rights movements were advanced or prohibited within the same time frame. White walls display celebrated and encouraged events of the feminist movement, while black walls document instances where women's rights were exploited or prohibited. In the background music, Liu has compiled uplifting speeches on women's rights from recent years, editing them together. 

The project was inspired by classroom discussions and reading materials, particularly the poetry of Audre Lorde, which prompted Liu to deeply consider the status and rights of women in society. "A Woman Speaks" depicts women as witches living in nature, divine and unbounded by anything. Liu believes that the essence of the feminist movement is to liberate women from centuries of societal oppression, violated human rights, and regulated behavior. Thus, in this work, she records the milestones of the feminist movement against the backdrop of the cosmos. In the interplay of "black" and "white," she further explores the once-oppressed souls of women, being liberated by brave and independent women through both successful and failed feminist movements. 

Liu's creation is not only rooted in her deep concern for women's rights issues but also responds to broader social problems. Through this project, she hopes that audiences will feel the importance of the struggle for women's rights and witness the indomitable spirit of women throughout history. With this art project, Liu aims to promote public understanding and concern for women's rights issues, encouraging more people to join the movement for gender equality. Looking to the future, she hopes to continuously update the virtual museum's database and develop a "player wall," where players can freely leave their names, stories, suggestions, and feedback.