PORFOLIO MINGHUI MAI
1.THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF SHADOW
Video Art,2017
The inspiration for this piece came from my reflections on the relationship between parents and children, particularly within the context of Chinese-style education. Recently, there has been a lot of discussion about the limitations of this educational approach, especially the communication barriers between parents and children. Many people feel that talking to their parents is like "a chicken talking to a duck"—a complete communication breakdown, often leading to feelings of suppression and invalidation.
In this work, I wanted to explore these dynamics, inspired by my own experiences communicating with my mother. When we talk, I often feel a lack of confidence, as if my thoughts and feelings aren’t truly heard. I realized that many of the issues between us remain unresolved, with longstanding disagreements stemming from fundamentally different perspectives. Our generational gap creates a disconnect that makes effective communication difficult and often leads to conflict. This type of struggle is common in many Chinese families, where traditional values and modern perspectives frequently clash.
Through this video, I aim to capture and express these unresolved tensions. The piece serves as a way to articulate the words that are often left unsaid, providing a space to release feelings and thoughts that may be difficult to express directly.