Le Xi: Exploring Freedom and Identity on the Yellow Line
In the fast-paced city life, I often feel an invisible pressure. The labels and rules around us shape our actions and limit who we are. My work, "Yellow Line," reflects on this experience, exploring how our bodies navigate between resistance and conformity, searching for new ways to exist.
Le Xi, Yellow Line, 01:05 (Loop), video, dimensions variable, 2022
The yellow line, a symbol of city traffic, stands for order and restrictions, as well as repetition and machinery. It brings both safety and anxiety. The shadow I cast on the yellow line makes me think: what have we lost in this world of rules? I feel an indescribable emptiness, as if life is stuck in an endless cycle. However, my shadow on the yellow line changes my perception, revealing different aspects of freedom. The yellow line is not just a boundary; it suggests the limits of different choices and reminds me to find ways to break through the rules.
I use my phone to capture my shadow running on the yellow line, using the evening sun to outline my body and record the moments where rules and freedom overlap, seeking opportunities to escape the monotony of life. The shadows on the yellow line are not just physical; they are metaphors for the intertwining of illusion and reality. I connect small details—like the texture of the yellow line, light and shadow, and the effort involved over time—with my body and actions, exploring a more direct and personal way of being. Through running and meditation, I blend my body’s rhythm with light and shadow, seeking inner balance. I turn repetition into meaningful expression and make the yellow line part of me. This illusion isn’t an escape; instead, it shows my understanding of how reality and illusion blend through digital image layering.
Le Xi, Yellow Line, 01:05 (Loop), video, dimensions variable, 2022
In modern city life, there is a gradually “disappearing” sense of existence. Between digital work and the emptiness of reality, I try to capture that indescribable loss and turn it into a surreal expression of harmony. The work "Yellow Line" shows the blend of body and image, reflecting how the digital age affects identity. It invites viewers to rethink the boundaries of rules and freedom, looking for ways to reshape their identity.
