Le Xi: Reflections on Everyday Life
Tired of grand narratives and loud slogans, I started to think deeply about the meaning of personal life in the present. This ongoing exploration led me to a new way of reflecting on images and everyday objects. My work 'Napkin' is a typical example. This common item, often overlooked in daily life, gained attention in my creation. I tried to unfold a crumpled napkin to show the marks it left behind and the energy it accumulated.
Le Xi, Napkin, 01:00(Loop), video, dimensions variable, 2025
While doing this, I often gently unfolded the napkins with my fingers, allowing me to re-examine the impressions formed during use. This time, I recorded the process frame by frame, capturing every subtle movement. Each frame shows the napkin’s delicate change from tight to relaxed, and each movement and wrinkle reminds me to feel every moment and change that once was; they record my existence.
Le Xi, Napkin 2, 00:55(Loop), video, dimensions variable, 2025
As I continue to shoot, I felt immersed in a gaze at time, almost becoming part of the process. With computer editing, I could experience the speed of this energy transfer at will. The physical presence of the napkin exceeded my previous understanding and experience. Under the lens, the napkin gradually unfolded, ‘blooming’ with the energy contained in those common actions, revealing its unique ‘personality.’
I hope to create emotional connections with others through sharing this kind of ‘reflection,’ allowing us to feel the energy in the everyday movements that flow between habit and unconsciousness. The small details of daily life hold deep meaning, and every aspect of life deserves to be remembered and cherished as a real mark of our existence.
Le Xi, Napkin, 01:00(Loop), video, dimensions variable, 2025
