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You Can Fly Higher and Higher

2008

1. Q: You can fly higher is a comprehensive media creation. You use sound, image and device to create a space effect of fantasy in it. So can you tell us your original intention to create it?
A: Since the end of 2001, I have become more and more interested in the fantastic power that constantly expands in our reality. You can see that the fantastic passion of romanticism constantly expanding in all aspects of our reality is influencing our mind and behavior and makes us excited and full of desire. They are one of the most distinctive features of China's real environments in the context of globalization. You can fly higher is a result of thinking from such an angle.

2. Q: In the image part of the creation, you use "standardized image". Can you tell us something on the background in which the "standardized image" is produced?
A: You know, in late 1990s, in China, especially in Shanghai (the city is considered as a window to the outside world in China's reform and opening up), the addiction to changing the city's superficial image at the supersonic speed is beyond imagination for non-local people. Individuals are involved intentionally or unintentionally. For example, in commercial buildings, even in streets, you can find flooding stalls that help people to change their self-image quickly through computer technology. Therefore, in such an atmosphere, it's no wonder the New Image of Shanghai Today plan is created.  

3. Q: As I know, "your image" in "standardized image" is picked out by all. So does "standardized image" imply the meaning of self-identity losing? If the answer is yes, then, is "self-identity losing" a common phenomenon in the present social reality?
A: To be exact, "standardized image" is a result of failure to judge and choose self-identity due to the haste to change oneself in the process of so-called "adapting oneself to the world". In this sense, "standardized image" is by no means an isolated case but a common phenomenon.

4. Q: In the image part, there is a clip about preying. The character "You" is transformed to an animal image. Does it relate to material desires?
A: I believe imitating animals' behavior is the most impressive way to convey the desire for pursuing. So I tried to use this kind of imagery, through fantastic music and environmental creation, to reflect my understanding of the reality. It doesn't merely relate to material desires.

5. Q: After the "preying" scene, with the "romantic" music, "the image of You" arrives to the state of "flying". Fantastic atmosphere created by neon lights, music and image complement each other. The whole atmosphere creation makes the audience on air cushions reach the state of "flying" too. From my own experience, at that moment, I had a feeling of "insecurity ". So does it indicate the beginning of danger?
A: In the creation, I believe, what I want to express is the "pursuing" itself or the "preying" as you said. This is very important. Because imagination and expectation always make people excited. Therefore, the state of "flying" is indulging in fantasy during the pursing process, but not after. And it does indicate some potential danger. It's just like the pain that a man lying in bed and dreaming a good dream, suddenly he fell on the ground due to carelessness.

6. Q: Is the medicine box a kind of metaphor? That is to say, is "material desires in the reality" the narcotic for us? Is the parabola shape of neon lights a kind of indication of danger?
A: It relates to my daily life experience. Everyday before work, I will take a piece of tonic, just like a psychological suggestion. The tonic can make me full of energy all day long. Once I forget to take it, I will feel fatigued. It seems to be part of my life. In the creation, I transform this daily life experience to the form of some drug that produces desires. The medicine box and the neon lights make up a parabola. The concept of parabola can express exactly the idea of my creation: it contains the process of rising and falling. In my creation, I emphasize the rising part of it, making the potential danger invisible and more astonishing.

7. Q: Is this creation a reflection towards "the reality"? People live in a space without foundation and they are floating. But do they have the possibility of falling down anytime?
A: It's obvious.

8. Q: Is this creation also a reflection to globalization? And does it show the pessimistic attitude towards reality?
A: Through the creation, I just want to, in another perspective, rationally examine the realistic environment in the context of globalization thoughts. The reality is not so good, I think.

Related Artists:
SHI YONG 施勇

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