Calvin & Breathing
A new performance video by Calvin Z Laing—showing with PAM until 24 August 2026
Calvin Z Laing is a Scottish artist working with performance.
www.calvinzlaing.com
Calvin & Breathing, still image, 2026
Ever since visiting Hong Kong in 2019 I’ve been pretty fixated on the movement of the city and shared public spaces there. The bridges and pass-ways above cars, snaking through shopping malls, create all sorts of liminal spaces. It’s delightful! The colours, the humidity, the pollution, the smells. I love the orchestrated mass of people moving with the fluidity of water. It’s so gentle and quiet. All of this became the perfect backdrop to integrate Calvin & Breathing with.
—Calvin Z Laing
Video available until 24/08/26
Bio
Calvin Z Laing is a performance artist based in Scotland. Through an evolving alter ego, Laing's work explores the emotional nuances of everyday life, focusing on themes of masculinity and authenticity. Employing humour, absurdity, scriptwriting, and narration, using makeup, costume changes, and character transformation Calvin investigates identity, vulnerability, and the construction of self.
Calvin & Breathing was filmed in Hong Kong and Seoul, March 2026 with the help of Jenny Du in Hong Kong and Alex Johnston in Seoul. It is being screened here as part of PAM’s opening series until 24/08/26.
Selected performances include: Calvin & Is This Really Happening? City Art Centre, Edinburgh (2025) Calvin & It’s Water Under the Bridge, Dissenter Space, Edinburgh (2024) Art & Awkwardness, National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh (2023) Calvin & A Series of Events, Take Me Somewhere Festival, Tramway, Glasgow (2021) Calvin & Jogging, Edinburgh Art Festival (2020) Calvin & Geppetto, Twitch TV, Scotland (2020) Calvin & Breakfast, Austrian Cultural Forum, London (2019) and Calvin & Ancient Times, A-DASH, Athens (2018).
Calvin has lectured at New York University, Kingston School of Art, Edinburgh College of Art and Edinburgh College. Graduating from Sculpture at Edinburgh College of Art (2011) Erasmus at Estonian Academy of Fine Arts (2010).
www.calvinzlaing.com