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Lost and disoriented, I found myself traversing an expansive desert with no clear understanding of how I arrived or where I was. My only recollection was a disorienting vertigo, after which I materialized in this seemingly endless sea of sand. The tactile authenticity of the sand was undeniable, each step imprinting a transient footprint as evidence of my journey. Amidst the barren landscape, my most fervent wish was to stumble upon an oasis—a sanctuary replete with food, water, and a sense of safety. Guiding me through the haze of my dislocation was a distant image of an oasis, a shimmering promise ever present at the limits of my vision. Negotiating a series of sand dunes, I was assailed by another bout of visual disorientation, only to find that the landscape had morphed. Gone was the fluid desert; in its stead was solid ground, scattered with rocks and patches of wild vegetation. A disembodied voice seemed to assure me that the elusive oasis was now within closer reach. Overwhelmed by hunger, thirst, and an enveloping sense of fear, I nevertheless continued with resolute steps towards the mirage that had guided me. No sooner had I crossed a formidable boulder, yet another wave of dizzying disorientation washed over me, bringing with it a dramatic shift in scenery. The large tree that had been the marker of my hoped-for sanctuary now stood before me, only it was set within a dark, almost impenetrable forest where towering trees swallowed the sky, allowing only fragments of light to filter through the interwoven branches. Driven by urgency, I lunged deeper into what I perceived to be the forest, only to slip and plunge into a pool of water. It was in that moment I realized the forest was but a deceptive facade—a swamp fraught with hidden dangers. As if to satiate an insatiable thirst, every pore of my skin seemed to absorb the surrounding water voraciously, while my consciousness dimmed, carried away by the illusion of bodily fullness. I was falling—unendingly, inescapably—into the abyss.

Event Introduction

In collaboration with Tianyuan Zheng

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Titled "Loops," the project is an intricate, narrative-based design centering on a wooden box as its pivotal storytelling device. The work interweaves two distinct yet converging narrative threads, artfully constructing a haunting tale of a quest for an oasis that ultimately leads to an unending loop of existential dilemmas. Conceived through a first-person perspective, the project employs the potent device of internal monologue to reveal the protagonist's internal landscape. The concept masterfully exploits the wooden box as a metaphorical construct—a space where memories, aspirations, and experiences are both contained and liberated. It serves as an encapsulation of the yearning for sanctuary, symbolizing both the promise of solace and the trap of unending cycles.

Architectural Association, London, UK, 2023

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The first-person vantage point adds a layer of immediacy and intimacy, plunging the audience directly into the psychological and emotional depth of the journey. The utilization of internal monologue serves to amplify the character's complex interplay of emotions, building an emotionally charged atmosphere that resonates with existential undertones. By merging dual narratives, "Loops" transcends the constraints of linear storytelling, invoking instead a sense of perpetual motion and uncertainty. It raises poignant questions about the nature of desire, the illusion of attainment, and the paradoxes that arise when one's deepest yearnings are seemingly within reach yet infinitely elusive. The work thus serves as a complex philosophical inquiry rendered through the medium of design and narrative. It beckons audiences to contemplate the intricate relationships between quest and quandary, between sanctuary and the abyss. "Loops" is more than a narrative piece; it is a multidimensional exploration of the human condition, encapsulating the eternal struggle between aspiration and limitation.

Email: jieminglan1@gmail.com

Narrative Pot

What associations do you conjure when contemplating Pandora's Box? What revelations do you envision upon lifting its enigmatic lid? Filled with either utopian visions or nightmarish realities, the box serves as a complex metaphor that explores the symbiotic relationship between virtual and physical realms while shrouded in layers of philosophical and theological ponderings. Accompanied by a mesmerizing blend of music and light, the audience is invited to descend into various 'box worlds,' each offering a distinct experience. This immersive event unveils 12 microcosms, each meticulously crafted to provoke emotional resonance, unearth dormant memories, and engage the senses. It not only serves as a lens through which the designer's introspections are refracted but also mirrors facets of broader reality encapsulated within the confines of the box. Participants are not merely spectators but become integral parts of the unfolding narrative, actively engaged in co-creating their unique fantasies and interpretations. Through a harmonious confluence of auditory and visual stimuli, the event invites you to listen, feel, and most importantly, to immerate yourself in these multifaceted worlds. It aims to elicit not just emotional responses, but also critical engagement with the themes and questions layered within each 'box world.' The experience is more than mere entertainment; it is an intellectual and emotional journey that challenges preconceptions, awakens curiosity, and invites contemplation.

Loops