By Liang Xiao MA Art and Science - Central Saint Martins, for Walls in Online Places Vol.2
As an artist and a Hubei native based in London, I faced the COVID-19 with it having originally broken out in my hometown Wuhan（Hubei）and Britain.
I felt the real life experience of self-isolation. In my research process, I mainly conducted research on viruses based on the types of viruses, transmission routes, growth trends, development scale, and development results. I try to use my creation to encourage people, to embody the diversity of viruses, to show the social nature, philosophical nature, and so on behind disasters, connections between the outside world and individuals, differences in capitalist society, etc.
Balcony Utopia (above video)
The infectivity of Covid-19 causes people to panic about their bodies exposed to the outside air. The balcony communicates with the dangerous outside world and the indoors that represent a sense of security. By studying the political, functional, symbolic and history of balconies in different periods, this project found that its architectural form is the epitome of an era and society. The semi-public and semi-private balconies are also life, stage, It is the connection between the individual and the world around him. I performed on the balcony, combined with the art of the apartment, the use of household objects, to show the conflict and dialogue between private and public spaces, self-help and communication with the outside world.
Psychedelic, Stay away from me (above video)
By studying the double physical and psychological harm caused by COVID-19 to people, the device is physiologically liquefied from the lungs, presenting a translucent unhealthy state, and causing severe PTSD psychologically. Combining the concepts of social distance and aerosol transmission, is it safe to maintain a distance of one meter by means of a light sensing device? Emphasize the danger of COVID-19 and remind viewers to have a strong sense of prevention.
More of Liang's works in response to COVID-19 pandemic can be seen on Behance
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Walls in Online Places
Walls in Online Places is an online exhibition programme for UAL postgrads to share their work whilst in isolation and practicing social distancing.
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