DISTANCE ,Polyester cord with wood and metal structure , 7.2 x 15.6 x 24.1 m ,2025.
The work comprises large scale lace objects reminiscent of the twelve Chinese Zodiac signs. The Chinese Zodiac remains a vital part of personal and communal identity*, reflecting deep-seated beliefs that have transcended generations. Its influence can be seen in contemporary daily life, from personal guidance and relationships to cultural celebrations. The twelve animals not only symbolize individual traits and characteristics but also foster a sense of belonging and continuity. As society evolves, it continues to find relevance, connecting to the wisdom of the past and the shared narratives that shape our identities today. Its legacy, with its rich symbolism, cultural significance and unifying power, will endure as a navigational tool in the current and future social shifts.
the individual elements are independent, complete and can stand alone, but also offer an encounter of these elements forming a recognisable entity. Twelve elements are arranged in a way that the composition’s axial view allows for a visual interpretation of a zodiac circle. By incorporating perspectival foreshortening and parallax, the project relates to the Zodiac as a tool, a device to understand the distance and time, how we orient ourselves and navigate the world. When the viewer’s position is off the axis, the composition loses its legible visual order and the elements start to form different relations, allowing for varying compositions. The process engages the movement of the viewer, emphasizing one’s power to position oneself in reference to others, to actively define different connections and relationships. The project urges us to recognise, interpret and identify ourselves and others, a manifestation of how we perceive ourselves in the changing world around us.
Lace: Intangible Heritage
This project aims to embrace, honour and strengthen the craft and industrial heritage of Hangzhou. In particular, the work relates to the silk and lace making industry in the area and reminds us of the history of struggle in labor conditions for the future generation, while elevating the craft into art, transcending generations.
Lace: Making :
The translucency and intricacy of the material often provokes femininity and lends a false sense of vulnerability and fragility. The lace is indeed usually created by female artisans who endure long hours of arduous labor and meticulous attention to detail it requires; lace manifests the patience, resilience and tenacity of the maker.
The lace for this project is handmade with local volunteers, which connects everyone involved with a shared vision. Making of lace sharpens their minds while making new friends and neighbors, witnessing incredible creativity and kindness from the community: urgent troubleshooting solutions, careful discussions about the design, and thoughtful tips and help shared among volunteers. The community and their concerted effort decidedly represent our collective will to contribute to the whole.
The lace symbolically weaves different people and cultures. Traditionally, lace revealed the divided class society; it was created by poor artisans and enjoyed by rich clients for their excess. This project aspires to bring everyone together regardless of their origin, age, socio-economical status and background; all contribute to the making, sharing the ownership of the project, while touching everyone in the process.
「Distance」List of Volunteers：
Wu Qin, Shen Chuting, Qing Xue, Qiu Siying, Ding Shudan, Xiao Xiao, Xia Yu, Zhang Wei, Zhang Xiaomin, Zhang Shuqian, Pan Weixuan, Shi Qing, Xing Mengyuan, Li Xiaodan, Zhu Yichu, Jin Jing, Yu Ziling, Wu Nile, Feng Shirui, Bao Yiyuan, Jin Yuche, Chen Yitong, Zhu Yishi, Yang Yuting, Yu Aizhen, Zhang Danning, Chen Zhanglu, Zhu Roufei, Zhang Dandan, Li Jia, Yang Qinying, Liu Yuanyuan, Wang Ziruo, Wang Xinli, Sheng Ying, Cui Enhua, Tong Tingting, Pan Ziyu, Zhang Qianwen, Xu Jingnan, Zhang Lening, Su Siyi, Dong Yingying, Zhang Yan, Li Daiyue, Sun Yuqi, Huang Jiayan, Chen Xiaohong, Huang Huizhen, Yao Guiman, Guo Chongxue, Xu Xinyi, Mao Siyuan, Huang Yimei, Chen Yu, Wang Xueya, Wu Nan, Peng Yifei, Zhou Xuan, Fan Qing, Zhou Quan, Zhang Hanxi, Chen Huirong, Fu Manqian, Qu Shiyi, Zhang Jiayue, Zhao Li, Zhou Zixin, Nan Jiang, Ye Zeguang, Jia Mengyuan, Liu Siyao, Liu Siyuan, Xu Ping, Ma Yanbing, Huang Yili, Hu Xuege, Yang Qirui, Yang Rui, Bob/Bai Chenyang, Zhou Haoxin, Sue Maoyusha, Shan Zifen, Li Lina, Gao Lin, Xu Ying, Liu Hui, Feng Xinling, Zhu Weili, Lin Duoduo, Li Jiatong, Zhu Chenxi, Yuan Cuifen, Ni Wutong, Shi Yanling, Zhu Yiqin, Xu Tingting, Zhang Yilin, Zhang Chunhua, Chen Ping, Wang Jiaqi, Ma Yingyuan, Tong Yichen, Zhang Xinyue, Ru Yali, Liang Xinyue, Qian Guoqun, Zhao Yuan, Qing Zelin, Shi Linfei, Tan Jinyu, Li Wen, Xie Shaofeng, Li Xinlu, Wu Chen, Wang Mengyu, Zhu Chuxiao, Pang Xinyi, Chen Ruiting, Liu Qingyu, Wang Haoyu, Xu Dingyi, Lin Shiyan, Xue Jiayi, Wang Xinya.
The lace symbolically weaves different people and cultures. Traditionally, lace revealed the divided class society; it was created by poor artisans and enjoyed by rich clients for their excess. This project aspires to bring everyone together regardless of their origin, age, socio-economical status and background; all contribute to the making, sharing the ownership of the project, while touching everyone in the process.
Lace: Symbolism :
Hangzhou is the widely-known birthplace of legends, with the example of White Snake and Xu Xian meeting for the first time on the Broken Bridge, and writing the final chapter of the legend at Leifeng Pagoda (Wiki). The architectural elements in iconic Chinese structures in various sites in Hangzhou are incorporated, contributing to the polysemy of each object. The project reflects the symbolism-rich Chinese culture, and its power to bring people together. Each Zodiac form combines auspicious elements found in cultural heritage: the form of tiger resembles Leifeng pagoda or the gazebo in West Lake, but also a lily flower which symbolises good fortune in Chinese culture; the dragon comes from the roof of Chinese traditional architecture; the dog forms an island of West Lake while the snake mimics moon gate and the bridges, creating an entry and a portal; and the rabbit sits on the pond like a scholar’s rock in Chinese gardens; Ram relates to the symbol of cloud, an auspicious pattern often used in Chinese arts and craft; the horse head forms a tunnel, symbolising a passage of time, the Zodiac; Monkey’s head reads also as a peach, relating to immortality and vitality originating from Chinese mythology; pig’s head resembles a gourd or a bottle (bing), bringing a good fortune and prosperity.
Lace: Spatial Experience :
People are always the center of the artwork. The work creates a space within to invite the audience to occupy and touch, while staging people as an integral element of the artwork. It is a spatial experience, a tactile expression. Every part of the work is touched by the many people who made the artwork and invites more hands to touch; the embodiment of the collective endeavours to unveil the collective whole.
Lace: Interaction:
The work is designed to interact with light: Light and shadow are critical parts of the artwork, adding an ethereal dimension to the work. Reflections obscure or distort the boundaries, challenging the realm of reality. The mirrored images on surroundings alter one’s perception and reveal its hidden depths, allowing an alternate point of view of the identical object concurrently. One cannot be perceived alone or cannot exist without the other. Between the tangible and habitable real and its reflection resides a space. The audience occupy this space and connects the two.
Lace: Celebration :
Generally, lace is small in scale, and often private, used as a symbol for a special celebration, milestones of life. Shown in a large scale in a public place, the lace creates a sense of surprise which contributes to our collective memory.
Through community engagement, the process of making has become more meaningful than the outcome of artwork itself, empowering everyone involved. The work materializes the memory of making together, while celebrating the recognition of one’s power to change.
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