Air Crash Report is about a devastating air crash that occurred in China in 2022, in which all 132 passengers and crew members on board were killed. After three years of investigation, one preliminary report and two anniversary updates were issued, all maintaining that no faults or abnormalities were found—leaving the cause of the disaster an unsolved mystery.
As a former photojournalist in China, the artist was sent to cover the accident when it happened, but failed to approach the crater. Three years later, the artist met Crater Surveyor, an imaginary character who believed themselves to be a survivor of the disaster, dedicating their life to uncovering the mystery of the crash. Relying on limited resources, minimal data, secondhand accounts, and countless internet conspiracy theories, the artist collaborated with Crater Surveyor to reconstruct the scene of the tragedy. The project stands as a piece of enduring evidence, and a somber memorial of deceased.
Artist Curator
Air Crash Report is a site-specific installation by Faye Yingfei Liang, MFA ’26, Department of Visual Arts. From 2015 to 2022, Faye worked as a photojournalist in mainland China, documenting the complexity and rapid transformation of Chinese society. In 2024, she pursued her MFA at the University of Chicago, expanding her practice to explore sympathy, humor, and humanity under oppressive social structures. Her work spans photography, installation, and writing.
Support
CWAC Exhibitions is organized by the Department of Art History’s Visual Resources Center. Additional support provided by the Center for the Art of East Asia and the Department of Visual Arts at the University of Chicago. Installation support, preparation, and fabrication provided by the artist with special thanks to Marcus Warren, Jef Biesinger, El Lee, and Scotty Hendricks.
Related Programming
- Anxiety, Truth, and Debris: A Conversation Between Faye Yingfei Liang and Dr. Jennifer Dorothy Lee, October 2, 2025 at 5pm in CWAC 156
Hours and Location
The Cochrane-Woods Art Center (CWAC) is located at 5540 S. Greenwood Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637. CWAC is open to the public Mondays–Fridays 8:30am to 5pm (Wednesdays until 8pm) and by appointment.
Accessibility
Air Crash Report is a site-specific installation throughout the Cochrane-Woods Art Center, concentrated in the 1st floor lounge and 2nd floor east stairwell and monitor alcove. CWAC Exhibitions is committed to accessibility for all our exhibitions. However, the second floor of the Cochrane-Woods Art Center is accessible only by stairs. To request an accommodation or alternative format, please email visualresources@uchicago.edu.