Hell Screen

2015


Hell Screen is inspired by the short story of the same name (aka, Jigokuhen, 地獄變 )  written by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa.

Installation consists of scrim screen and neon light tube suspended with strings. The overlapped weaves of the screen fabric refracts light in a certain way that will creates a wavy visual efffect.


Ox cars references:




 
The choice of medium was out of the practical reason: the school was offering a neon workshop. And neon carries the connotation of an object of desire in its usage as advertising signs. Such characteristic sketchily respond to the moral dilemma of Yoshihide: to be a father or to be a painter. 

Admittedly the project was pretty half-baked. However, the process of making the neon model drove me to a further consideration of what I’m seeking from the story, which leads to the project My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done.  What is it in the story that moves me? What does it remind me of?  The story speaks to a fundamental part of my existence as a art student studing abroad. The story forced me to acknoledge the fact that when I’m away, my parents’ physical and mental health are decaying by days. I know that it’s only a matter of time for them to collapse amidst the polluted environment and distressed relationship. Yet I don’t want to return to them at all. I want to stay, where I can pusuit my artistic freedom even if it doesn’t bring any reward.