Yuyang Zhang
I've spent an unhealthy amount of time scrolling the cellphone throughout this pandemic, and I am not ashamed of it. With the outside world becoming less accessible, that tiny screen became my primary source for revisiting memories and connecting with what is happening worldwide. I also never thought one day my hometown would be famous in such a fashion. On the one hand, this pandemic has made my life as an aspiring artist here more complicated and tricky, and I still wish this whole thing never happened. On the other hand, I've also witnessed an ever-increasing negative attitude towards my hometown and country from people who could work a little more on a more comprehensive world perspective.
These digital collages present a constructive space and narrative with digital photography, found propaganda posters, and screenshots from my digital gadgets. Figures from propaganda posters represent a part of my cultural background that is generally considered questionable. Screenshots give a glimpse of my quarantine digital life and interact with the figures and photos. Lastly, photos highlight my longings for the great outdoors while providing a canvas and an adhesive for the former two elements. The ending results seamlessly integrate three unrelated components that playfully offer relevant and lighthearted narratives responding to a glooming year.