THE GARBAGE
In the series "The Garbage," the camera functions not merely as an instrument of documentation, but as a conceptual sieve that filters the psychological fallout of East Asian institutionalized education. The project operates as a subtle yet rigorous critique of highly regularized, performance-driven academic structures that systematically demand conformity at the expense of individual interiority.
Through deliberate framing and a precise manipulation of visual metaphors, the discarded objects and domestic detritus within the imagery cease to be mundane waste; instead, they are elevated into semiotic markers of suppressed potential. The title itself, "The Garbage," serves as an ironic and poignant reference to the internal landscapes of young minds—where idiosyncratic dreams, unquantifiable creative impulses, and fluid subjectivities are deemed redundant and systematically discarded by a rigid pedagogical apparatus.
Navigating the tension between systemic compression and personal vulnerability, the work captures the quiet crisis of a generation caught within an assembly line of standardized excellence. By archiving these invisible psychic imprints, the series opens a contemplative space to question the human cost of institutional discipline and the silent erosion of individual identity in contemporary society.
Is the term "garbage" inherently sinful? Why is garbage equated with worthlessness? This project explores the definition and reality of garbage in two parts, delving into the life cycle of garbage.
Part 1.0
The first part employs documentary photography to directly confront the situation of garbage in reality, the processes of garbage disposal, and the groups handling the waste. It explores the essence of waste. I magnify overlooked details, questioning the definition of garbage. True classification becomes elusive. Does garbage truly disappear? Clearly not. The journey from being valued to being considered useless is only the initial stage of garbage's destiny.
After entering the garbage truck, a journey beyond the city begins, reaching the waste processing site. Here, garbage brings new value to workers, attracting recycling facilities. As materials are repurchased, reprocessed, and transformed into new items, re-entering the public domain, the recycling cycle unfolds. This illustrates the vitality of recycling and the similarities between the labels and values of items and individuals - perceived value constantly fluctuates.
If the meaning of words is bestowed by humans, then I will redefine the term "garbage" in the second part. Using the photographic results from the first part as the raw material for experimentation, I combine the emotional expressions of dancers to convey the significance of garbage in my mental world. They serve humanity, have all their value squeezed out, and then are discarded, yet these seemingly valueless entities provide more value to a group of people whose livelihood depends on waste management.
As version 1.0 of the raw material, I conduct various experiments, including tearing, soaking, burying, and squeezing. Every failure behind each accusation of being ‘garbage’ might eventually become the foundation and fertilizer for your growth.
