Welcome to the Underground
illustration
This project consists of three illustrations and three small installations, depicting the chaos caused by overcrowding in the Beijing subway. Having lived in Beijing for a long time, I have observed numerous chaotic phenomena in the subway due to the large population. These primarily include three issues: people standing so close that they cannot protect the privacy of their phone screens, the overly complex and unclear route signage leading to frequent confusion, and extreme overcrowding during peak hours making movement difficult.
In a city as vast and densely populated as Beijing, the subway serves as a primary mode of transportation, carrying countless commuters daily. However, urban planning has not adequately considered passengers' commuting experiences. Excessive crowding challenges personal safety boundaries, while the oppressive environment and enormous crowds negatively impact the physical and mental health of passengers.
In this project, the presence of an AI navigator exacerbates the chaotic scenes in the subway. Through the lens of dark humor, I hope to prompt serious reflection on how subway planning could have better solutions.
The Flame Me and Myself After the Burning
ILLUSTRATIONS
Red is an extremely vivid and intense color, often representing blood, fire, the heart, and revolution.
Growing up in China’s exam-oriented education system, my appearance was shaped by standardized school uniforms. While such uniforms facilitate management and order, they also, to some extent, constrain young people’s self-expression.
I decided to make changes to my appearance and makeup, keeping my hair the color of burning flames. Like the flame of a burning candle, this symbolizes my expression of self and my desire to connect with the outside world. Ultimately, much like the crystal left behind after a candle burns, it becomes a precious testament to young people’s pursuit of individuality and independence.
Everyone’s Happy
EDITORIAL ILLUSTRATIONS
The character “囍” is composed of two “喜” characters, representing the idea of happiness upon happiness. Later, this character was commonly used to decorate joyful occasions such as weddings. The “囍” character symbolizes two newlyweds standing hand in hand, and its four "口" shapes represent prosperity and a thriving family. Therefore, it has become an important symbol in Chinese wedding ceremonies.
Throughout history, the format of matchmaking in China has remained largely consistent. In the past, men and women did not meet directly; instead, their relatives arranged the meetings. The parties involved were brought to the marketplace, sometimes to a hotel, or even to ancestral temples, accompanied by their respective matchmakers or parents.
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