Disparate is a perplexing look at how we live and interact in temporary, permanent, physical and digital spaces simultaneously and separately. Disparate explores the quandary of being Asian and American, and how opposites can be united. 

In Disparate, Korean-Detroit artist and designer Mike Han creates paintings on torn atlas pages from States across America, and countries from around the world. These location based substrates provide a backdrop to have a conversation about race and culture as they intersect in America. The artist’s line work speaks to our unique individuality, the chaos of life, and the seldom seen truth that while we may seem polar opposite, we want the same things in life: love, respect, and freedom.

Disparate is created and installed at The Siren Hotel which mirrors the modern day paradox of place and American culture.

The Siren is a physical place whose purpose is to welcome guests from across the US and from around the world to provide people hospitality and comfort while they are away from home. The hotel is both permanent and temporary. It’s guests are local and international. The duality of this physical space further illustrates the quandary of everyday life as two distinctly different truths are often true simultaneously which is not unlike the artist’s everyday reality of being Asian and American. 

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Asians are often viewed in America as foreigners, and sometimes treated as though they don’t belong. This is true for immigrants, naturalized citizens, and natural born citizens of Asian descent. Disparate hopes to cultivate a better understanding of what being American looks like. 

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