Does the Sun Have a Translucent Shell?

On the timely themes in the work of Anicka Yi, including AI, umwelt, scent and taste, the anthropocene, decay and rot, the animal world, and feminism.

This is the fifth book in the annual series A Series of Open Questions published by CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts and Sternberg Press. Each book includes newly commissioned writing as well a selection of perspectives, images, and references related to the Wattis's year-long research seasons dedicated to single artists. This volume is informed by themes found in the work of Anicka Yi, such as AI, umwelt, scent and taste, the anthropocene, decay and rot, the animal world, feminism, and Asian American experiences. Contributions include a cocktail recipe by Pierre Huyghe, an academic essay on psychedelic mushrooms in Native American culture, and a short story by Argentinian author Julio Cortazar, along with photographs and drawings relating to the themes. Through an eclectic range of international voices, the book encompasses many mediums in an attempt to address some of the most pressing issues of our time.

Includes a fold out insert with drawings by Anicka Yi.

Contributors Giorgio Agamben, John Berger, Nina Canell & Robin Watkins, Mel Chen, Julio Cortazar, Stephanie Dinkins, Dave Elfving, Ayesha Hameed, Taro Hattori, Cathy Park Hong, Tishan Hsu, Pierre Huyghe, Caroline A. Jones, Brian Karl, Heesoo Kwon & Karen Cheung, Jen Liu, Jochen Lempert, Yutaka Matsuzawa, Aspen Mays, K. Allado McDowell, Naomi Mitchison, Ho Tzu Nyen, Yasmine Ostendorf-Rodriguez, Adrian Villar Rojas, Jackie Wang, Keith Williams, Anicka Yi.