Slant to skewer Asian depictions

Performance artists have long used their medium to give voice to people ignored by mainstream American culture and media; the most renowned performance artists attempt to bring marginalized people's experiences to the fore.

This week's performance by Slant, a New York-based performance art ensemble, is no exception.

The three-man troupe deals with stereotypes of Asian-American men in American society and media. Their shows mock and deconstruct the sexual stereotypes and derogatory caricatures of Asian men that appear in pop culture and media.

With shows that incorporate music, staging and spoken word, the ensemble - comprised of Richard Ebihara, Wayland Quintero and Perry Yung - puts together a fast-paced and energetic show.

Michelle Shim, Asian community coordinator in the Multicultural Resource Center, who helped bring Slant to Oberlin, has seen the group perform. "They're really fun," she said, adding that their shows are often off-the-wall, and always very entertaining.

Shim said she recently viewed a dress rehearsal of the group's most recent show. Saturday's performance, however, will be a compilation of all the group's performances. "It will be a best-of show," Shim said.

Slant has performed at other colleges and universities, most recently at Brown University.

The performance is part of this weekend's Oberlin Korean Student Association conference. Shim said that although the performance focuses on Asian Americans, she hopes the audience will be diverse.

"Even though it's an Asian-American performance group it doesn't mean it should just be Asian Americans in the audience," she said. "Issues of stereotypes affect everyone."

Slant will be performing Saturday, Feb. 28 in Wilder Main at 8 p.m. Tickets are $2 OCID and $4 non-student.

Like what you see? Slant bring their stereotype-challenging show to Oberlin (photo courtesy the MRC)