The Poetry Project

Qiujiang Levi Lu (卢秋江)

Levi Lu, an Asian non-binary person with red hair in a white shirt, holds 24 audio cables in their mouth.
© Aijia Yao

Qiujiang Levi Lu (卢秋江) is a NYC-based performance artist, experimental musician, composer, and educator. Their work transforms the body into a sonic object through interactions with movements and audio technology, exploring identity, sound, and space. Lu designs customized feedback systems with cyborg-like body augmentations inspired by Objectophilia/animism. These include special microphones, speakers placed within bodily orifices, and an augmented amplified laptop. Their resulting performances consist of choreographed, ritualistic improvisations building upon ancient Chinese drumming traditions to manifest body dysmorphia, sexuality, spirituality, and mortality. Lu is currently a lecturer in the Department of Music at the University of Pennsylvania.