666 is not what you think it is.

(Welcome to Wolf's Weekly — a quick dive into my latest projects, lovely encounters, and silly mistakes. Handcrafted with keyboard taps and a dose of humor.)

Announcing 666 Art Show — What if we celebrate what you free?

I’m sick of being told how to speak, react, and understand everything through the lens of American culture. Ever since coming to the U.S. at the age of 16, I’ve wanted to fit in—to join conversations that matter to American teens. Needless to say, it was difficult.

On one hand, I had to familiarize myself with so many alienating ideas. I didn’t speak fluent English (still working on that); I didn’t know what "ching chong" meant (still learning how to clap back at racism); I didn’t understand why people were obsessed with sports—especially a game where tough guys slam into each other over a ball. (Sorry, football fans, I think I get it a bit more now.)

On the other hand, I had to hide my Chinese-ness—or worse, criticize it—just to fit in. I used to say things like, “Oh yeah, in China we censor everything,” as if reducing my culture to that stereotype made me more acceptable. Yes, censorship in China is real and needs to be addressed, but what’s also real is the progress we’ve made, the quality of life improvements, and all the other things I’m truly proud of. I need to show that side of my Chinese-ness too.

With the shift in U.S. politics, I’ve seen xenophobia grow, education crumble, queer rights attacked, and global violence escalate. People are dying. And for the first time, I genuinely wonder: is America still the dream?

Why shouldn’t I go back to China, where healthcare is accessible, abortion rights exist, things cost a third as much, there’s no gun violence, and I feel safe walking at 3am?

But I also believe you shouldn’t move just because things get hard. America shouldn’t be defined only by its government. Like every country, it’s the people who shape it. If I’m disappointed, even as an immigrant, then I have to try to make it better. Through art.

That’s how the idea for the 666 Art Show was born. I want to use it as an entry point to explore and challenge cultural meanings. Let’s help each other see.

In the West, 666 is tied to the devil, apocalypse, and fear. In China, 666 (liù liù liù) is praise—a nod to skill and smoothness. How did this symbol become so wildly different across cultures? And what other symbols carry conflicting meanings?

Through this show, I want to celebrate what 666 means to me—as a Chinese person, and as an immigrant. I believe communities with diverse voices create richer conversations, which in turn fosters deeper acceptance.

Here are the details. It’s one night only so hope to see you there! RSVP 666 Art Show here!

Open Reception:
Friday, 6/6, 6 - 8 PM with a performance by Wolf Boxuan Chen at 7PM
The Nook – 1242 Market Street, Floor 2, San Francisco, CA
Curated by: Mengxi Xin @mengxi_xin & @wolfboxuanchen
Poster design by: @wolfboxuanchen
Typeface: New Wonton by @mingxuandesign

Featuring work by:
Wolf Boxuan Chen @wolfboxuanchen
Jiayue Li @jiayuerrr
Melissa Liu @mellye.liu
Jacob Li Rosenberg @j____l_r________
Rae Xiang @raexiiang
Connie Ye @c0n5tants

Huge thanks to @thesfnook for hosting and @chadabbley for live DJing.

Releasing 草窝-Rabbit Hole — WatchOUT! Band’s 1st and last album

Finally it’s out!! Check out the album!

In 2021, me and seven other college students known for our love of bullshitting decided to sing Chinese songs. So, on the grounds of Washington University in St. Louis, we built 我操!乐队 WatchOUT! Band. Four years later, we released our first—and only—album, Rabbit Hole. Though no reunion date is set, we vow to keep everyone hostage in a gigantic castle once someone’s rich, all to keep making music.

“Rabbit Hole” is our three-year labor of love, a shared imprint of our college days, gathering the essence of yin and yang. The album mixes rock, funk, and blues—from a slightly naive opener to a fully wrapped finale. Everything springs from free, wild jam sessions, using those “aha” melodies to piece, tear, and re-build.
We hope you hop out of bed to “Avocado Toast” and stay until the late-night send-off, “Tonight Is The Night.” Think of the album as one day in the lives of college kids who, though lost about the future, still drag themselves out of bed. And these slightly panicked yet always mischievous notes are our alarm clock.

It’s now available on most platforms (except Apple Music and Netease due to some restrictions—we’re working on it).

Meeting with high school, college, postgrad friends

Somehow I squeezed in time with three friends from high school, college, and postgrad. It’s such a blessing to spill your guts to people who understand you. Thanks to their feedback, I discovered a new path for my current project. Friends are there when you’re lost. Love you all!

Learning about non-human technologies at / (Slash)

One awesome thing about this show: the curatorial team (ninthplanetcollective) takes UAPs very seriously. After the congressional hearing on UAPs, I had long convos with curator DB Amorin. He told me about the 1896-97 sightings where people reported mystery aircrafts before planes were invented. Apparently, the visitors even asked to patent their tech. Wild.

I also met Whit Forrester, who not only curated the show, but exhibited his piece, where you connect two gold foil and feel the electricity flowing through your body; and Wendi Yan, who uses video games to explore science and her concept of Mammoth Technology—an ancient wisdom created by mammoths. Yes, the mammoths.

My week was lovely thanks to these beautiful souls:

Allan Wang, Rae Xiang, Mellisa Liu, Mengxi Xin, Jacob Li Rosenberg, Connie, Jiayue, Tong Wu, Gleb Ossipov, Emmanuel, Joshua Tandio, Jackie, Yvonne, Whit, DB, Trisha, Crystal, Wendi, Anima, Omelia, Alex, Fisher, Sarah Morin, Becky Moon, Vivian Li, Mom and dad, Ray Xia, Zach, Suki, and everyone who I missed to place down, you know who you are.

Special thanks to Ray Xia, who helped me brainstorm (my brain was stormed after our convo), and Gleb Ossipov, who took me to the hospital when I cut my thumb (more in the Weekly Mistake section).

Weekly Play

Your brain is a prediction machine - (Major Discovery) No.1 Neuroscientist: Anxiety Is Just A Predictive Error In The Brain!

This podcast blew my mind. Here’s the takeaway: your brain is a prediction machine.

Think about it. When you're thirsty and drink water, you stop feeling thirsty immediately — but it takes 20 minutes for your body to absorb that water. So how do you feel hydrated instantly? Because your brain predicted the result and stopped signaling thirst.

We predict before we experience. That means we can train our brains to predict better and feel better. There's so much more in this episode, and honestly, I feel a lot less confused about my emotions now.

Give it a listen—it’s worth your time!

Now is time for…. 👇👇👇