Who am I? Think again | Hetain Patel

Summary

In this engaging script, artist Hetain Patel and dancer Yuyu Rau explore the themes of identity, language, and the power of imitation. Patel humorously recounts his childhood reluctance to wear traditional Indian clothing and his journey to understand his cultural heritage by imitating his father's appearance and learning Mandarin. Through the lens of Bruce Lee's philosophy, they challenge assumptions and reflect on how copying others can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself. The narrative is infused with humor and personal anecdotes, illustrating the creative process of finding authenticity in unexpected forms.

Takeaways

• 🎭 Hetain Patel is an artist who collaborates with dancer Yuyu Rau, using her as a translator for his speech in Chinese.
• 🗣️ Patel's decision to speak Chinese is to challenge assumptions based on accents and to avoid stereotypes associated with his northern English accent.
• 😅 Patel humorously admits that his Mandarin is limited to a single paragraph learned by heart, which he repeats in various tones.
• 🙇‍♂️ An apology is extended to Mandarin speakers for any offense caused by his limited language skills.
• 👦 Patel's childhood disdain for wearing Indian kurta pajamas due to feeling they were uncool and too feminine.
• 👊 His comfort in wearing the kurta pajamas comes from imagining them as kung fu robes, inspired by the character Li Mu Bai from 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'.
• 🧐 Patel's artwork focuses on identity and language, questioning the assumptions people make about others based on appearance and background.
• 🕺 Bruce Lee's philosophy influences Patel, particularly the idea of being 'formless, shapeless, like water', which Patel applies to identity and imitation.
• 🎭 Patel's imitation of his father's appearance, including hairstyle and mustache, led to mixed reactions and humorous misunderstandings.
• 🤔 The realization that imitation, even when flawed, can lead to a deeper understanding of one's own identity and authenticity.
• 🕷️ A surprising revelation that Patel's sitting posture was influenced by Spider-Man, not his Indian heritage, highlighting the unexpected sources of identity formation.

Q & A

What is the main theme of Hetain Patel's artwork?

Hetain Patel's artwork is about identity and language, challenging common assumptions based on appearance, origin, gender, race, and class.

Why did Hetain Patel choose to speak in Chinese Mandarin during his presentation?

Hetain Patel chose to speak in Chinese Mandarin to avoid any assumptions that might be made from his northern English accent and to demonstrate the idea of imitating and learning from others.

What does Yuyu Rau do in the context of this presentation?

Yuyu Rau serves as a translator for Hetain Patel, helping him communicate in Chinese Mandarin during the presentation.

Why did Hetain Patel apologize to Mandarin speakers in the audience?

Hetain Patel apologized because he could only speak a limited paragraph in Mandarin, which he learned by heart during a visit to China, and he was concerned about repeating it in different tones without fully understanding the language.

What was Hetain Patel's childhood aversion to wearing Indian kurta pajama?

Hetain Patel disliked wearing the Indian kurta pajama as a child because he thought it was uncool and felt girly, with the baggy trouser part being uncomfortable and potentially embarrassing.

How does Hetain Patel relate the concept of imitating to his personal life?

Hetain Patel relates the concept of imitating to his personal life by discussing how he imitated his father's appearance and Bruce Lee's philosophy, which in turn helped him discover and express his own identity.

What is the significance of the water analogy used by Bruce Lee?

The water analogy by Bruce Lee signifies the idea of adaptability and fluidity, suggesting that one should be able to change and conform to different situations while retaining their essence.

What was the outcome of Hetain Patel's attempt to grow his hair and mustache like his father's?

Hetain Patel's attempt to grow his hair and mustache like his father's resulted in an overgrown mustache that made him look less Indian and more like a character from a different cultural background, leading to humorous misunderstandings.

Why did Hetain Patel learn a phrase in Chinese Mandarin by heart?

Hetain Patel learned a phrase in Chinese Mandarin by heart to overcome the frustration of not being able to speak the language during his time in China, and to pretend that he could speak Chinese fluently.

What was the humorous revelation about Hetain Patel's Mandarin pronunciation?

The humorous revelation was that Hetain Patel had learned and memorized the Mandarin phrase in a woman's voice, which was pointed out by an artist after he had spoken the phrase aloud.

How does Hetain Patel view the process of imitation in his art?

Hetain Patel views the process of imitation as a way to reveal something unique about oneself. Even when the imitation does not go as planned, it contributes to the authenticity and self-discovery in his art.

What did Hetain Patel learn about his sitting posture from Spider-Man?

Hetain Patel discovered that his sitting posture was not a cultural trait inherited from being Indian, but rather a posture he had learned and adopted from Spider-Man comics.

Outlines

00:00

🎭 Artistic Identity and Language Play

Hetain Patel introduces himself as an artist and Yuyu Rau as his dancer collaborator, who translates for him. He humorously discusses his limited Mandarin skills, learned only to mask his northern English accent and avoid assumptions. Patel shares his childhood discomfort with wearing Indian kurta pajamas, feeling they were uncool and too feminine. He finds comfort in imagining them as kung fu robes, inspired by 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.' The paragraph delves into Patel's artwork, which challenges assumptions based on appearance, origin, gender, race, and class, questioning what truly defines identity. He uses Bruce Lee's philosophy to illustrate fluidity and adaptability, likening identity to water taking the shape of its container.

05:00

🎭 The Art of Imitation and Self-Discovery

Hetain Patel humorously recounts his experience of imitating his father's appearance after shaving his head, aiming to grow his hair as his father had when he first moved to the U.K. The attempt led to unexpected results, with his mustache growing too large and being mistaken for a Mexican stereotype. This incident, along with his experience learning Mandarin from a woman and being perceived as speaking in a female voice, highlights the risks and ironies of imitation. Despite these, Patel believes that through the process of imitation, one can discover something unique about oneself. He concludes by revealing that his characteristic sitting posture was not a cultural inheritance but learned from Spider-Man, emphasizing the unexpected paths to authenticity in art and identity.

Keywords

💡Identity

Identity refers to the characteristics and qualities that make a person or group unique. In the video, the artist Hetain Patel explores the concept of identity through his personal experiences and artwork, challenging assumptions based on appearance and background. Patel's discomfort with wearing traditional Indian clothing and his exploration of his father's heritage exemplify how identity can be complex and multifaceted.

💡Language

Language is a system of communication used by a community, and it plays a central role in the video as Patel discusses his inability to speak Chinese and his efforts to learn a phrase in Mandarin. The script highlights the importance of language in shaping one's identity and how Patel's imitation of Mandarin, even in a woman's voice, allows him to connect with a different culture.

💡Imitation

Imitation is the act of copying or mimicking the behavior or characteristics of another. The video emphasizes the role of imitation in learning and self-discovery. Patel shares anecdotes of imitating his father, Bruce Lee, and even Spider-Man, illustrating how these imitations have contributed to his sense of self and his artistic expression.

💡Assumptions

Assumptions are beliefs or judgments made without sufficient evidence. The script discusses how assumptions based on appearance, such as Patel's northern English accent or wearing Indian clothing, can lead to stereotyping. The artist challenges these assumptions through his artwork and personal narrative.

💡Cultural Representation

Cultural representation refers to how a culture or its members are portrayed or depicted. Patel's discomfort with wearing the Indian kurta pajama stems from the cultural assumptions that people make about him when he wears it. The video explores the tension between personal identity and cultural representation.

💡Authenticity

Authenticity is the quality of being genuine or true to oneself. Patel's art and personal journey reflect a pursuit of authenticity, as he explores his identity through imitation and challenges the expectations placed upon him. Even when his attempts at imitation fail, they reveal a more authentic version of himself.

💡Stereotype

A stereotype is a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing. The video addresses stereotypes related to Patel's Indian heritage and his experiences with language, showing how these can be limiting and misleading.

💡Personal Narrative

Personal narrative involves telling one's own story or experiences. Patel uses his personal narrative to explore themes of identity and authenticity, sharing anecdotes from his childhood and his artistic process to provide a deeper understanding of his perspective.

💡Artwork

Artwork refers to the creations of an artist, often conveying a message or theme. In the script, Patel's artwork serves as a medium for examining identity, language, and cultural assumptions. His art pieces, such as the video where he imitates his father's appearance, are central to the video's exploration of these concepts.

💡Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee is a cultural icon known for his martial arts skills and philosophical insights. Patel references Lee as a childhood hero and uses his quotes to illustrate the concept of being formless and adaptable, which parallels the video's theme of identity fluidity and the transformative power of imitation.

💡Spider-Man

Spider-Man is a fictional superhero who serves as a symbol of personal growth and responsibility. Patel mentions Spider-Man as an influence on his own behavior and posture, highlighting how even fictional characters can shape one's identity and sense of self.

Highlights

Hetain Patel introduces himself as an artist and Yuyu Rau as a dancer he has been working with.

Yuyu Rau translates for Hetain, emphasizing the avoidance of assumptions based on his northern English accent.

Hetain humorously points out the limitation of his Mandarin, learned by heart during a visit to China.

Yuyu apologizes to Mandarin speakers for Hetain's repetitive Mandarin phrase, highlighting the humor in language barriers.

Hetain shares his childhood discomfort with wearing Indian kurta pajama, feeling it was uncool and too feminine.

Yuyu explains Hetain's comfort in wearing Indian attire by pretending to be a kung fu warrior, drawing a cultural connection.

Hetain's artwork focuses on identity and language, challenging assumptions based on appearance and origin.

Yuyu discusses the influence of Spider-Man comics and kung fu movies on Hetain's life and philosophy.

Hetain quotes Bruce Lee's philosophy on being formless and adaptable like water, a metaphor for identity fluidity.

Yuyu reflects on the age similarity between Hetain and Bruce Lee, pondering the advice the martial artist might give.

Hetain humorously recounts Bruce Lee's imagined advice against imitating his voice, adding levity to the talk.

Yuyu argues that learning who we are involves copying others, a common childhood experience.

Hetain describes a personal experiment with imitating his father's appearance, including a mustache gone awry.

Yuyu narrates the cultural misunderstanding when Hetain's mustache was mistaken for a Mexican style, not Indian.

Hetain shares his experience of learning Mandarin to overcome language barriers, even if imperfect.

Yuyu reveals the unintended consequence of Hetain learning Mandarin in a woman's voice, adding humor.

Hetain concludes that imitation, despite its risks, can lead to a unique form of self-discovery and authenticity.

Yuyu ends with a reflection on how Hetain's art and identity are shaped by both imitation and personal experiences.

Transcripts

Hetain Patel: (In Chinese)

Yuyu Rau: Hi, I'm Hetain. I'm an artist.

And this is Yuyu,

who is a dancer I have been working with.

I have asked her to translate for me.

HP: (In Chinese)

YR: If I may, I would like to tell you

a little bit about myself

and my artwork.

HP: (In Chinese)

YR: I was born and raised near Manchester,

in England,

but I'm not going to say it in English to you,

because I'm trying to avoid any assumptions

that might be made from my northern accent.

(Laughter)

HP: (In Chinese)

YR: The only problem with masking it

with Chinese Mandarin

is I can only speak this paragraph,

which I have learned by heart

when I was visiting in China. (Laughter)

So all I can do is keep repeating it in different tones

and hope you won't notice.

(Laughter)

HP: (In Chinese)

(Laughter)

YR: Needless to say, I would like to apologize

to any Mandarin speakers in the audience.

As a child, I would hate being made

to wear the Indian kurta pajama,

because I didn't think it was very cool.

It felt a bit girly to me, like a dress,

and it had this baggy trouser part

you had to tie really tight

to avoid the embarrassment of them falling down.

My dad never wore it,

so I didn't see why I had to.

Also, it makes me feel a bit uncomfortable,

that people assume I represent something

genuinely Indian when I wear it,

because that's not how I feel.

HP: (In Chinese)

YR: Actually, the only way I feel comfortable

wearing it is by pretending

they are the robes of a kung fu warrior

like Li Mu Bai from that film,

"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."

(Music)

Okay.

So my artwork is about identity and language,

challenging common assumptions

based on how we look like or where we come from,

gender, race, class.

What makes us who we are anyway?

HP: (In Chinese)

YR: I used to read Spider-Man comics,

watch kung fu movies,

take philosophy lessons from Bruce Lee.

He would say things like --

HP: Empty your mind.

(Laughter)

Be formless, shapeless, like water.

Now you put water into a cup.

It becomes the cup.

You put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle.

Put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot.

Now, water can flow

or it can crash.

Be water, my friend. (Applause)

YR: This year, I am 32 years old,

the same age Bruce Lee was when he died.

I have been wondering recently,

if he were alive today,

what advice he would give me

about making this TED Talk.

HP: Don't imitate my voice.

It offends me.

(Laughter)

YR: Good advice,

but I still think that we learn who we are

by copying others.

Who here hasn't imitated their childhood hero

in the playground, or mum or father?

I have.

HP: A few years ago, in order to make this video

for my artwork, I shaved off all my hair

so that I could grow it back as my father had it

when he first emigrated from India

to the U.K. in the 1960s.

He had a side parting and a neat mustache.

At first, it was going very well.

I even started to get discounts in Indian shops.

(Laughter)

But then very quickly,

I started to underestimate

my mustache growing ability,

and it got way too big.

It didn't look Indian anymore.

Instead, people from across the road,

they would shout things like --

HP and YR: Arriba! Arriba! Ándale! Ándale!

(Laughter)

HP: Actually, I don't know why I am even talking like this.

My dad doesn't even have an Indian accent anymore.

He talks like this now.

So it's not just my father that I've imitated.

A few years ago I went to China for a few months,

and I couldn't speak Chinese,

and this frustrated me,

so I wrote about this and had it translated

into Chinese, and then I learned this by heart,

like music, I guess.

YR: This phrase is now etched into my mind

clearer than the pin number to my bank card,

so I can pretend I speak Chinese fluently.

When I had learned this phrase,

I had an artist over there hear me out

to see how accurate it sounded.

I spoke the phrase, and then he laughed

and told me, "Oh yeah, that's great,

only it kind of sounds like a woman."

I said, "What?"

He said, "Yeah, you learned from a woman?"

I said, "Yes. So?"

He then explained the tonal differences

between male and female voices

are very different and distinct, and that I had learned it very well,

but in a woman's voice.

(Laughter)

(Applause)

HP: Okay. So this imitation business

does come with risk.

It doesn't always go as you plan it,

even with a talented translator.

But I am going to stick with it,

because contrary to what we might usually assume,

imitating somebody can reveal something unique.

So every time I fail

to become more like my father,

I become more like myself.

Every time I fail to become Bruce Lee,

I become more authentically me.

This is my art.

I strive for authenticity,

even if it comes in a shape

that we might not usually expect.

It's only recently that I've started to understand

that I didn't learn to sit like this

through being Indian.

I learned this from Spider-Man.

(Laughter)

Thank you.

(Applause)