2016.
Multi-medium sculpture
Seeks out the limits of expression individuals have, within a system.
This artwork shows the balanced tension between the people and the party. From within, the problems are subtle. Not many individuals can react or go against the direction the party is heading towards; the Chinese government often mutes minor individuals who fight for their freedom. The people's struggle is they cannot estimate how much more strength they need to fight against the dominant party. Nor do they know how much more capable is the party able to take action against them. The second one is from the outside view as a Canadian western lens. It is often said that things understand clearer if we see it from a distance. We analyze it, understand it, know the struggle from an "objective" viewpoint but cannot interfere with it. We form questions about this tension: will they break free, or will they give up? Will the party collapse, or will it push its way through? As audiences, we wait and observe until something happens.
This artwork contains four material elements of toothpicks, balloons, strings, and air (fan). Each ingredient plays an essential role in creating a coherent relationship for the artwork and exploring the levels of tension relationships from microeconomic to macroeconomic points of view. This fragile relationship between the balloon and toothpick gives the impression of anxiety. Toothpicks are used to remove detritus from the teeth, usually after eating. It does not know if individuals are full from the meal or are still hungry. However, it is our decision to pick it out and use it. The collective action of using something that seems so small might create a more significant impact on its environment. Toothpicks are the reflection of self, individuality, and independence.
Moving to the next macro relationship level is the "balanced" relationship that is self-contained but fragile—created by the tension of the two different kinds of balloons. The smaller transparent balloons at the bottom are connected by multiple strings attached to them to the single giant colored balloon at the top. Each transparent balloons symbolize corporate groups from the same society as multiple strings of relationships connecting them. All connections are tied towards the big one at the top. Thus, the two sides become "balanced."
The last relationship is between the fan and the artwork. This crucial airflow (from bottom to top) allows the whole artwork to levitate, sink, or rise. The airflow is a symbol of trends and changes in the outside environment and its influences on the artwork. The artwork will respond and adjust itself accordingly against all forces from the external environment. During turbulence created by outer movements, all stages of a relationship( toothpicks, balloons, and strings) have been transformed. The artwork will always come back to its original state. However, everything within it has already changed.