Christmas Eve, Eating an Apple
by the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
2024
Eating an apple on Christmas Eve is a tradition that started in Chinese culture. It plays on the homophony between the Chinese word for “apple” (píngguǒ) and the word “peace” (píng) in “Christmas Eve” (píng’ān yè). Apples, symbolizing peace and blessings, are often exchanged as gifts on this special night. On Christmas Eve, people from around the world come to Rockefeller Center to meet this magnificent Christmas tree, what I want to do is, standing before the tree, in the crowd, eating an apple.
I am deeply grateful to my “tree” friend for collaborating with me on this performance. From the day the tree was lit until now, I have visited them 19 out of the past 21 days, rain or shine, always returning to Rockefeller Center. Special thanks to Boyi for documenting the entire process—she was the first friend I introduced to the tree, and the tree likes her too.