Christine Sun Kim Confronts the Limits of Language in ‘All Day All Night’

As a gamer with a profound appreciation for art and a deep-rooted understanding of the Deaf community, I eagerly await the opening of Christine Sun Kim‘s retrospective at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Having been captivated by her bold and thought-provoking works, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation for this immersive exhibition.


Christine Sun Kim’s significant body of work will be jointly presented by the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Walker Art Center in their upcoming exhibition. This extensive retrospective includes more than 90 pieces created from 2011 to the present, offering insight into Kim’s investigation of Deaf culture, her connection with spoken language, the intricacies of communication, and her musings on life within shared social environments.

Spread out over three levels of the museum, the exhibition All Day All Night highlights Kim’s unique blend of musical notation, infographics, and both written and sign language. Her art frequently delves into the systematic exclusion faced by Deaf individuals, resulting in a compelling mix of the poetic, political, and occasionally humorous. This work serves as a powerful protest against access barriers, while also honoring her family, friends, and the vibrant communities that support her.

This survey signifies a fresh phase in Kim’s relationship with the Whitney, where she played a key role in creating Whitney Signs, a resource for Deaf education led by educators that provides ASL programming. Since then, Kim has frequently revisited the museum, with significant projects like the 2018 mural titled “Too Much Future” and “Degrees of My Deaf Rage in The Art World,” which was showcased at the 2019 Whitney Biennial.

Enclosed within the exhibition’s name lies a fresh era of accessibility, transcending the confines of the gallery. As Kim explains the hand movement in the sun’s position, she describes it like signing “All Day All Night“, forming a circular motion in the air. For her, returning to the Whitney as an artist after starting as an educator represents a significant full-circle moment.

The display at the museum will become available from February 8, 2025. For further details, visit the museum’s website.

Whitney Museum of American Art
99 Gansevoort St,
New York, NY 10014

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2024-11-23 02:26