2019
Inspiration
These collaged photos were taken during a trip to the Philippines, where I witnessed certain social phenomena that I had not seen before in Taiwan. Most residents live in slums, and naked children run around in the streets. Even mothers with babies walk in traffic and beg for money from passengers. People with higher educational backgrounds often wear different hats to serve as key financial supporters for their families. The photos illustrate the current living conditions of disadvantaged people, whose efforts and devotion to changing their environment are limited because they are trapped in hopelessness.
Research
I began observing people who are confined and struggling in tiny spaces, a metaphor for those who want to escape from difficult environments. As I explored some architectural models, I discovered an interesting shape: the Mobius Loop, which represents eternity and infinity. Therefore, I use the concept of the Mobius Loop as a metaphor for a desperate future that never ends, symbolizing the hopelessness of people who want to change their lives.![]()
Test of body stretching in elastic fabric
Mobius loop Weaving experiment Sketch
Development
During the experimental stage, a shaped sponge was used instead of a struggling human body to create the sculpture. Different methods were attempted for laminating the sponge and cloth, including applying adhesive interlining, trilateral sewing, and coating. Ultimately, the trilateral sewing method was chosen to achieve a more natural appearance. In addition, adhesive interlining and iron wires were used to supplement the uneven blocks. Wire ropes and stretch fabrics were also applied to encircle the body, symbolizing that people still have hope of escaping from their trapped situation, even though they have no way out in reality.
Sponge experiment
Development
For the color scheme, only white and black were used. White is a color that takes on the properties of any color it comes in contact with, while black remains unchanged. The contrast between these two colors represents people's original goal of hoping for a change in their lives, despite the fact that in reality, they cannot achieve it.
