Concept
Humans are inherently meant to find fulfillment in life, with the journey itself—filled with both challenges and triumphs—adding meaning and depth to existence. However, in contemporary society, a significant portion of individuals continue to adhere to a monotonous and routine-driven lifestyle. For many, each day follows a predetermined script, and life itself feels structured and constrained. This pattern has contributed to a pervasive sense of apathy and low morale, with individuals gradually becoming desensitized, fatigued, and disconnected. Consequently, external forces, including societal expectations, power dynamics, and material pursuits, increasingly influence and dominate their lives.
Scene Set
The stage is primarily constructed of a gray plastic plate, four engineering projectors, and four stereo speakers. Three of the gray plastic plates are covered with a blackout cloth, and three projectors are placed on the upper part of the surrounding wall to project onto the projection screens on the three walls, creating an immersive audiovisual experience. Another projector is placed perpendicular to the ground in the middle upper part. Additionally, four stereo speakers are positioned around the device to mobilize the audience’s multiple senses1.
The piece, lasting 2 minutes, narrates the pervasive experiences of individuals confined within monotonous routines. Square grids, composed of lines across three walls, symbolize societal constraints and echo the central performer’s emotional display. Over time, with the intensifying sound, the grids become increasingly turbulent, while the performer’s movements grow distorted and their expressions reflect anguish—embodying the struggle of those trapped in repetitive cycles. A dark blue light, symbolizing external pressure and authority, illuminates the performer from above, reinforcing the sense of invisible constraint. Concurrently, a strip video between the three walls depicts scenes of mundane life, enhancing the emotional impact and specificity of the work’s message.
In this work, a long strip of video spans across three screens from left to right, looping identical clips that depict individuals living monotonous lives. The selected scenes, primarily of daily subway commutes, symbolize the repetitive routines many endure. These visual representations enhance the work’s thematic clarity, fostering a sense of resonance with viewers. Set against the piece’s cool blue tones, the video strip facilitates a contemplative atmosphere, encouraging audiences to connect the scenes with their own lives.
Two actresses perform at the center of the stage, symbolizing two conflicting facets of the modern individual: a free-spirited soul yearning for liberation, and a cautious soul confined by societal realities. Their dual presence reflects the internal struggle common to many, embodying the tension between personal aspirations and restrictive routines. This performance speaks to the inner conflicts faced by those living repetitive lives, conveying collective emotional suffering.
As the performance reaches its climax, the actresses’ movements transition from intensity to stillness, suggesting that without the courage to break free, individuals may ultimately succumb to numbness and detachment. Throughout, the actresses’ expressions of pain and discomfort mirror the experiences of those enduring mundane lives, illustrating a heart burdened by contradiction. In the closing moments, as the actresses embrace and kneel, they evoke a sense of profound despair, symbolizing the pervasive darkness and resignation that can accompany a life bound by monotony.
