Untitled

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Indeed, frequently the external world is not constrained by our imagination; rather, it is we who impose limitations upon ourselves.
Introduction
Many individuals exhibit self-restraint and retreat when confronted with real-life challenges. Often, they establish a "psychological height" threshold by default, layering self-imposed constraints that confine their minds to a "comfort zone." Consequently, they remain stagnant, caught in an unending cycle of self-doubt and self-denial.

Kazimir Malevich’s statement, “To the Suprematist, the visual phenomena of the objective world are, in themselves, meaningless; the significant thing is feeling,” encapsulates the essence of Suprematism. The Black Square, as a central symbol, serves as a reflective surface for projecting human experiences, desires, and internal conflicts. Within the Suprematist framework, the black square embodies a process of self-doubt, introspection, and eventual reconciliation, culminating in self-transcendence.

The video artwork Untitled extends from this conceptual foundation. Through the descent of a black “cube” and the protagonist’s interaction with it, the piece symbolizes an inward journey marked by conflict and resolution. The moment of contact signifies an intense internal struggle, ultimately resolving into tranquility and transformation.

     

With the continuous development of the Internet, individuals have gradually experienced increasing fragmentation in various aspects of daily life, such as time management and social interactions. Prolonged fragmentation, combined with a culture of entertainment saturation, has contributed to an unplanned stagnation in life that often undermines itself. This project’s video output navigates through several fragments of life, presenting them as a memoir, capturing joyful memories shared with team members and creating an abstract visual narrative. The stark contrast between the somber black introduction and the bright, cheerful memories reflects the diversity of artistic expression, illustrating that art transcends singular forms.

Process
Outcome
The film serves a dual purpose: firstly, it aligns with the thematic essence of the black square; secondly, it conveys a poignant message to the audience.   Specifically, it portrays a world inhabited by individuals who negate their own self-worth—a lifeless existence akin to a plague. This pervasive sense of powerlessness and suffering afflicts every ordinary person, rendering them indistinguishable, akin to a multitude of ants. The black and white imagery strips away their unique hues, engendering an overwhelmingly bleak film atmosphere.     In terms of music selection, drum-based compositions were chosen to evoke tension without overt melodies. This deliberate choice immerses the audience in the film’s atmosphere, amplifying its impact.    

Bibliography

Malevich, K. (1915). Black Square. Oil on linen. Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.

Arrival (2016). Directed by V. Denis. Feature film. Santa Monica, CA: Paramount Pictures.

Image of Arrival (2017). Available at: https://discovery.cathaypacific.com/we-need-to-talk/ (Accessed: 8 January 2023).

Villeneuve, D. (2016). Arrival. Film directed by Denis Villeneuve. USA: Paramount Pictures. Available at: Wikipedia (Accessed: 6 November 2024).

Heisserer, E. (2016). Arrival Screenplay. Based on the short story “Story of Your Life” by Ted Chiang. Available at: IMDb (Accessed: 6 November 2024).

Richter, M. (2016). ‘On the Nature of Daylight’, Arrival Soundtrack. Deutsche Grammophon GmbH. Available at: Vox (Accessed: 6 November 2024).

Chiang, T. (1998). ‘Story of Your Life’, in Stories of Your Life and Others. New York: Tor Books.

Villeneuve, D. (2016). Arrival. Film directed by Denis Villeneuve. USA: Paramount Pictures. Available at: Wikipedia (Accessed: 16 May 2023).

Heisserer, E. (2016). Arrival Screenplay. Based on the short story “Story of Your Life” by Ted Chiang. Available at: IMDb (Accessed: 16 May 2023).

Richter, M. (2016). ‘On the Nature of Daylight’, Arrival Soundtrack. Deutsche Grammophon GmbH. Available at: Vox (Accessed: 16 May 2023).

Adger, D. (2016). ‘Linguistics and Science Fiction: Arrival’. Language Log.

Coon, J. (2017). ‘Consulting on Arrival: A Linguist’s Perspective’. Language and Linguistics Compass, 11(8), pp. 1-10.

Birner, B.J. (2017). ‘The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis in Arrival’. Journal of Linguistic Anthropology, 27(2), pp. 123-130.

Analysis of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis as depicted in the film. Tallerico, B. (2016). ‘Film Review: Arrival’. RogerEbert.com. Available at: RogerEbert.com (Accessed: 18 May 2023).

Lansky, S. (2016). ‘Arrival: A Sci-Fi for Grownups’. Time Magazine. Available at: Time (Accessed: 6 May 2023).

Tilly, C. (2016). ‘Review of Arrival’. IGN. Available at: IGN (Accessed: 6 November 2024)

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