#7: Isolated Above, Connected Down

This work depicts a couple engaged in a conversation that delves into philosophical realms while grounded in everyday life. It is inspired by a combination of truth and fiction. The dialogue was written by my husband. This was my first time collaborating with a producer. We hired a small professional film crew in Denmark to record cinematic footage. We needed someone to write a good marital argument dialogue containing elements of "isolated above" - appearing detached on the surface, as well as "connected down" - profoundly linked at the core, mirroring the virtual and physical worlds.

Since I needed a writer with relevant experience who understood the cultural differences, we were unable to find a professional in Denmark who could precisely capture the collision of two different cultures in everyday life. However, it was not an argument but a casual conversation instead. Without such dialogue, there would be no improvements. It is complicated.

However, the entire work is not confined to the same scenario. There are abstract, non-narrative "video art" sections at the beginning, followed by more cinematic parts in the middle. I couldn't create the cinematic segments on my own, so I needed a team to assist. But all the footage was completed by myself.

The work transitions between a feel of video art to an exhibition, and then delving into a film segment. Film and video art are vastly different industries, and it has been challenging to integrate them. This was my first attempt to incorporate cinematic techniques into video art, aiming to provide a novel viewing experience.

Video art traditionally has a more casual way to view, with limited historical references since the 1960s. In this work, there is a poetic element, where the male protagonist ultimately kills a bee that has endured the winter. In 2018, I was deeply contemplating themes of intimacy and human nature.

Given my personal life experiences, I have been focused on creating work related to intimate relationships and global perspectives. In 2018, I was exploring how imagery can convey distinct symbolic meanings, whether caused by history, politics, or other factors. For instance, the bee is often associated with hardworking, devoting its life to work, when in reality, it is simply eating. Such symbolic meaning is ascribed by humans, rather than inherent to the subject.

Symbolic significance can be found in every piece of the work. Reviewing from 2018 to the present, what has changed is myself and the artwork, but my core beliefs remain the same.