Caligo #1–#3

In her latest works, Teresa Chen … used Giacomo Puccini’s opera Madama Butterfly as the starting point for the exhibition Death of a Butterfly in order to critically examine how Asian women are represented in European society and history. In Madama Butterfly, Puccini continued the trend of exoticism popular in late 19th century Europe: Madama Butterfly, a young Japanese geisha “marries” an American naval officer stationed in her home country Japan and waits in vain for the officer’s return after his departure. However, when he finally returns to Nagasaki, it is not for her but to take their child with him to America. In despair, Madama Butterfly stabs herself to death. Madama Butterfly is one of the world’s most popular operas and is also regularly staged at the Zurich Opera House, most recently in the 2012/2013 season.

Marion Wild, from the press release for Death of a Butterfly (select “Show Information”)