Minnan Exit

Since 2015, Wen-You Cai has returned on multiple occasions to her family’s hometown of Quanzhou, Fujian, to attend the funerals of her deceased relatives. The ceremonies in the Minnan region unfold like grand dramas in which she is both an observer and a participant. Throughout the ceremony, Wen-You is enveloped in the unknown; everything seems meticulously arranged. Amidst the overwhelming grief of losing loved ones, there exists a feeling of confusion, and taking photographs was one of the ways for her to engage in the funeral process. For this photo series, Wen-You was initially confronted by her own fear of death, intertwined with her bewilderment and curiosity about the complex funeral rituals and its uniqueness inherent to Minnan culture. To demystify these subjects, Wen-You, joined by te editions, interviewed a funeral director who provides comprehensive “one-stop service,” a monk who hosts Buddhist ceremonies, and a folklorist of Minnan rituals. Minnan Exit can be interpreted as many things–a family album, a curated collection of photographs, an unfinished journey of discovery, as well as the process of Wen-You’s reconciliation with her mortality. 

English and Simplified Chinese
Designed by Related Department
Published by te editions
2024

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4N Magazine

Issue 1, launched February 14, 2024

Stemming from the creative platform of Special Special, 4N (“foreign”) is a biannual magazine showcasing extraordinary foreign talent in America. We recognize the challenges faced by foreigners in obtaining sufficient credentials to demonstrate their value for staying in the United States, and 4N acts as a platform for those artists to present their work in the company of other talented creatives. Our goal for 4N is to create a community-based publication that honors and highlights the exciting work and personalities involved.

Learn more at 4Nmag.com 

Edited by Wen-You Cai & Panny Chayapumh
Designed by Panny Chayapumh
Edition of 500
2024

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A Small Pond Under the Blue Sky

Special Special Projects 2016–2022

A Small Pond Under the Blue Sky is a reflection and celebration of the 98 artist collaborations, through 37 exhibitions, performances, and workshops. A record of the pop-ups and product editions conceptualized and presented in our East Village space and beyond from 2016 to 2022. This anthology includes interviews with artists collaborators Aria McManus, Tim Simonds, and Lu Zhang, and personal reflections on collaborations and creativity with the founder and director Wen-You Cai. This collection of thoughts guide readers through a contemplation of creative experiments with art and the everyday.

Edited by Wen-You Cai & Lin King
Designed by Panny Chayapumh
Edition of 500
2023

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Rooster, Tiger, Sheep by Snake

This is a photo book by Wen-You Cai, that captures her father, mother, and sister over a period of twelve years. Tracing the dynamics of these three immediate members of her family through travels, jet-lag, at parties, at work, on vacation, and at home. These vibrant images follow intimate moments of play, ritualistic practices, and emotional ennui.

Produced on the occasion of Tiger, Rooster, Sheep, by Snake, Wen-You's first solo photography exhibition at MGM COTAI, Macau in 2019.

English and Traditional Chinese
Translation by Lin King
Designed by Seokhoon Choi
Produced by MGM China Holdings Limited
Edition of 1000
2019

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When You Make No Art 

An autobiographical account of growing up in the art world. Each chapter holds inspirations and vignettes from museums, travels, and random encounters around the world that inspired the formation of Special Special as an art project space and retail shop. Cai conceptualizes the idea of a “reluctant artist”, or someone who is immersed in the arts but having trouble making work. Foreword by Amy Chua

Designed by Seokhoon Choi
First Edition of 300, Yellow Pages, 2016
Second Edition of 500, Green Pages, 2019

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可不可以不艺术

When You Make No Art
Chinese Edition

An autobiographical account of growing up in the art world. Each chapter holds inspirations and vignettes from museums, travels, and random encounters around the world that inspired the formation of Special Special as an art project space and retail shop. Cai conceptualizes the idea of a “reluctant artist”, or someone who is immersed in the arts but having trouble making work. Foreword by Amy Chua

Translated from English to Chinese by Boliang Shen
Published by Imaginst Press, China
2015

PURCHASE

At This Point at If and Wen

Exhibition Catalogue of At this Point featuring works by CJ Hill, Midge Wattles and ST Luk. 

Designed by Seokhoon Choi
Edition of 100
2014

Guest Wall

An Anthology of House Guests

Instax photos of every person that entered Wen-You’s apartment between May 23, 2013 – May 23, 2014

Designed by Seokhoon Choi
Edition of 100, numbered on the last page
2014