The Borrowed Edge is a metaphor drawn from the Chinese idiom “他山之石，可以攻玉,” which literally means “stones from other mountains can be used to polish jade.” Traditionally, the phrase refers to the idea that outside perspectives—or even criticism—can help one improve, refine, or grow stronger. It’s about seeking value beyond the familiar, and using what’s foreign to sharpen what is one’s own.

In the context of our event, it speaks to the experience of navigating a new place—like New York—and discovering new ways of seeing ourselves through cultural exchange, creative collaboration, and community. It’s about how something unfamiliar can spark inspiration and ultimately shape who we are becoming.