Le Xi: Meditations on Light and Shadow
I've always been fascinated by light, reflective objects, and the movement of water. These elements, like a kaleidoscope, contain mysterious possibilities - they are both universal and deeply symbolic. By incorporating these illuminated spaces into my work, I aim to evoke a sense of the surreal and encourage contemplation in the viewer. I enjoy sitting quietly by sunlit lakes, watching the fish below, experiencing the pure spaces and emotions. Seeking the infinite and sublime within the infinitely large and small, discovering boundless potential in the immaterial - this exploration of the "infinite" drives my artistic practice. My piece " Under the Sun " is the result of spending whole days by the pool, trying to capture fleeting experiences by replacing water and the body with light and shadow.
Le Xi, Under the Sun, 01:11(Loop), video, dimensions variable, silent, 2022
Although sunlight is ever-present, we often take it for granted since it's so commonplace. Yet that burning star, light years away, has maintained its strange, eternal existence. I can't look directly at it, so I turn away, facing the sky-blue water, experiencing how sunlight shapes my ever-changing shadow. I strive to capture this elusive, wavering silhouette, recording the ephemeral self, exploring the fusion of time and body. Between myself and the sun, there is a profound sense of awe. I pause within the rhythm of sunlight disrupted by water ripples, allowing light and shadow to connect with my vision and perception, measuring the integration of inner and outer worlds. Meditating in the sun's radiance has become a regular part of my daily life.
Light and shadow are crucial mediators between the inner self and the external world - I rely on them to manifest or experience inner desires, to explore questions of who I am and where I am. Through my art, I can effectively express these fundamental queries. My work is not just about the visual imagery of light and shadow, but an interactive engagement with them. It shifts with time and space, becoming a personalized meditative experience, transcending physical spatial experience. This flickering change, like the appearance and disappearance of life, brings a heightened awareness of existence. Living amidst light and shadow, perceiving the fleeting essence of all things - this experience is both concise and elegant, allowing me to momentarily transcend the constraints of time.
