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titles：”Frozen Clocks: Capturing the Eternal in the Fleeting”/”The Ephemeral River: A Journey Through Imaginary Time”/Beyond the Hourglass: Exploring the Depths of Time”

“Since the invention of the clock, there has been no eternity in human life.”

“Neil Postman once stated,“with the invention of the clock, eternity ceased to serve as the measure and focus of human events”​. This profound observation has deeply influenced my contemplation of the relationship between time and the meaning of life. In my view, time is a fictitious concept, flowing like a river from the dawn of history to the confluence of the present. Despite its fictional nature, this river forms the essence of life. Beyond the imaginary nature of time, I am equally convinced that dreams are a virtual existence. In dreams, the concept of time fades away, unrestrained by reality. A person’s life is filled with numerous dreams, yet within these dreams, time ceases to exist, and the notion of reality becomes irrelevant.

My artistic creation is divided into several parts. The first is the ‘River of Time’ that occupies an entire wall, symbolizing the passage of time from ancient to modern days. It could represent time in my dreams or the flow of time in real life. This river, created with acrylic paint, aims to produce a mesmerizing effect, reminiscent of Van Gogh’s starry skies, using various colors and strokes to depict the different events and moments within the river of time. Each stroke leaves an indelible mark in this river, representing the legacy left by different people through time, be it historical figures or contemporary individuals.

The second part of my work revolves around my dreams. In this segment, I envisioned a dream within a dream scenario, where animals from the ‘Classic of Mountains and Seas’ come to life, transforming into human forms and coexisting peacefully with humans, even adopting human behaviors and habits. For instance, the mythical creature Báizé [1] drives a car to pick me up, and we journey together through the dream world. Along the way, we meet other animals from the classic text, capturing these moments in photographs. The glass-like tears I shed upon waking from this dream symbolize both the end of the dream and the breaking of time, representing an awakening from the dream and a rupture in the continuity of time. Everything within the dream feels so wondrous yet real, deepening my understanding of the boundaries between reality and illusion.

The third part consists of various animal figures I have created, engaged in human activities, such as a nine-tailed fox [2] painting, a hundred-sounding bird [3] skateboarding, and a jade rabbit [4] performing ballet. These animals transcend their natural characteristics, gaining new life and meaning through my art.

Throughout the creation of these works, I have deeply felt how people are often constrained by fictional concepts, such as the passage of time and the boundaries between reality and dreams, thereby forgetting to explore and enjoy the possibilities of life itself. However, I believe that everyone has the power to choose, unfettered by time, and unleash their imagination to create. Only then can our lives find truly unique significance.

My project aims to inspire people to rethink the meanings of time and life, encouraging them to use their imagination to create meaningful things in the river of life, leaving their unique mark. Although time is abstract, the experience of life is real and precious. Every moment lived, every fantasy dreamed, is proof of our existence. Through art, we can transcend the limits of time and explore the wondrous worlds where fiction and reality intertwine.

In this process, I have also revisited history and culture. The ‘Classic of Mountains and Seas’ is not just an ancient text; it is a wellspring of endless imagination and creativity. The animals and mythical stories within it are not merely the fantasies of ancient people but are forms of artistic expression that transcend time and space. These mythical creatures, such as Báizé, the nine-tailed fox, the hundred-sounding bird, and the jade rabbit, have been given new life in my works, serving as bridges connecting the past and present, reality and fiction.

Through these works, I hope to spark new understandings and appreciation of life among people. In modern society, we are often troubled by the trivialities and busyness of daily life, forgetting to pause and contemplate the true essence of life. My artwork attempts to break these everyday shackles, offering a moment of tranquility and reflection amidst the hustle and bustle of life.

In summary, my artistic creation is not only an exploration of the meanings of time and life but also a tribute to cultural heritage and innovation. I believe that through art, we can build a bridge connecting the past and future, fiction and reality, allowing everyone to find their unique place and significance.”

marginal notes:

1. (Báizé): A mythical creature from ancient Chinese mythology. Known for its ability to speak, understand all creatures, and discern spirits, it appears when “a virtuous ruler” is present and dispels all evil. Described in the ‘Yuan History’ as a creature with a tiger’s head, red hair, horns, and a dragon’s body, and in the ‘Ming Collection of Rites’ as having a dragon’s head, green hair, horns, and a flying posture.

2. (Nine-tailed fox): As recorded in the ‘Classic of Mountains and Seas,’ the nine-tailed fox, also known as “Nine-tails,” is a symbol of royal ascendance, frequently mentioned in ancient texts. Scholars believe its depiction in the ‘Classic of Mountains and Seas’ and the legends surrounding it are related to the ‘Eastern Azure Dragon’ constellation, due to its nine stars.

3. (Hundred-sounding bird): According to ancient mythology, “the dragon bore nine sons, and the phoenix nurtured nine chicks.” The hundred-sounding bird, a descendant of the phoenix, is one of the nine chicks. It resembles a yellow oriole and its melodious sound is both pleasant and mesmerizing.

4. (Jade Rabbit): Also known as the Moon Rabbit, residing on the moon and responsible for pounding medicine in the Moon Palace. The Jade Rabbit symbolizes the moon and represents longing for beautiful love and the missing of a loved one, depicted with long ears, round eyes, and a plump mouth.

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REFERENCE：

-Neil Postman, “with the invention of the clock, eternity ceased to serve as the measure and focus of human events,” in Amusing Ourselves to Death (New York, NY: Penguin, 2010)​

-Báizé – Mythical Creature in Chinese Legend.” General Reference, Accessed [2023,12,05]. Based on Public Domain Information and Folklore.

-”Nine-tailed Fox – Mythical Creature in Chinese Folklore.” General Reference, Accessed [2023,12,05]. Based on Public Domain Information and Folklore.

-Hundred-sounding Bird – Mythical Descendant of Phoenix in Ancient Chinese Mythology.” General Reference, Accessed [2023,12,05]. Based on Public Domain Information and Folklore.

-Jade Rabbit – Mythical Creature in Chinese Moon Mythology.” General Reference, Accessed [[2023,12,05]. Based on Public Domain Information and Folklore.