The Forbidden City is a book detailing the history of "The Forbidden City Nightclub", one of the more well-known "oriental-themed" nightclubs that were emerging in San Francisco during the 1940s-70s. While highly controversial due to its deliberate use of employing Asian stereotypes as entertainment, the Asian-American performers of the club saw it as means of defiance and liberation, and a direct response to the discrimination and exotification they were facing.
Just as The Forbidden City was the coming together of Eastern tradition and western novelty, this book is a mirror of that. Taking cues from more western design tropes and integrating them alongside Asian motifs, this book produces visuals that captivates, and a reading experience that engages and educates. The book's initial impression is bold, dramatic and risqué, mimicking the club itself. However, once you enter the actual book, the interior reveals itself to be modern, yet timeless.
With such a deep personal commitment to this topic, I felt a great responsibility of portraying these subjects with extra care and authenticity. This book is my love letter, an extension of my deepest appreciation, to these performers.
