Eggtymology
Annie Danning Xu
Eggtymology is an interdisciplinary project that explores identity through the metaphor of the egg—as something enclosed, fragile, and constantly in the process of becoming. The concept originates from my name, where “Dan” in Chinese is phonetically linked to “egg,” prompting a personal reflection on identity as something both given and continuously formed.
At the center of the project is a one-meter-tall eggshell installation. A projection of runway imagery unfolds inside the shell, merging fashion with narrative and memory. Using an external camera, the installation captures viewers’ hand gestures, allowing them to interact with and influence the visuals in real time. This interaction reflects the act of revealing, shaping, and reinterpreting one’s inner self.
Surrounding the installation is a series of editorial and photographic works that expand this universe: The Egg Cycle, a book structured around the lifecycle of the egg; a fashion magazine; a set of “What’s in My Egg?” identity cards; and three self-directed lookbooks. Together, these elements construct a layered storytelling environment where identity is not fixed, but slowly disclosed—like something waiting to emerge from within the shell.