28. ARROW LAI SIU-WAI - A SPACE BETWEEN REWINDING AND TOUCHING GUNPOWDER.
Emergent artist ARROW Lai Siu-Wai describes the creative journey behind ‘A Fleeting Moment’- LONDON.
‘A Fleeting Moment’ by ARROW LAI SIU-WAI, Image courtesy of the artist 2023.
1. 'A Fleeting Moment' is a fascinating series - please can you describe the personal narrative behind the work?
"A fleeting moment" is a series of 25 woodcut prints depicting the background after the handover of Hong Kong to China and the countdown in 1997 of "remain unchanged for 50 years" under the policy of "one country, two systems".
By gazing at the series of fireworks (in archival films) I can imagine the changes in Hong Kong over the past 25 years and reflect on my identity as a Hong Kong citizen.
2. The ancient technique of communicating through the reproduction of images by woodcut seems charged today, please can you explain why you chose this medium to express your instincts?
Woodcut is a technique of historical significance and cultural value invented in ancient China. Initially, the woodcut was invented to disseminate information by mass reproduction. Until the 1930s, during the New Woodcut Movement in China, the medium was used to propagate patriotism, reflect social conditions at the time, and boost people's morale against foreign invasion. It is also called a cultural "weapon". I chose this as my creative medium because of its history, value, and functionality. Besides this, the firework is shown in public areas and symbolizes shared identity, creating an ideology in society. I believe that when used as a creative medium in contemporary art, the combination of fireworks and woodcuts can be interpreted in new ways.
3. The changing state of being from Hong Kong is key to your work - how has making work in London about your nationality affected you and your practice?
Hong Kong has a rich British colonial history. Everything from architectural design, street names, and transportation to cultural philosophy is closely linked to British history. After living in the United Kingdom for a while, I started to realise how similar London and Hong Kong are. This strong sense of familiarity made me homesick and I eventually began to think back to my life in Hong Kong. While thinking about home, I realized that many things have been changing slowly in Hong Kong during the post-colonial period, such as the demolition of historical buildings, changes in the system, and a shift in the focus of cultural development, etc. I have lived in Hong Kong for 25 years and witnessed these changes; on the one hand, they were unexpected, and on the other hand, they were quite unfortunate due to the loss of history. This reflection led me to start this series. Since I have been away from Hong Kong for a while, I have felt a sense of distance in terms of my environment and mental state. This enabled me to see my city from a more distant perspective, more clearly
and broadly. Like my firework woodcuts, the viewer needs to give it the distance to see exactly what it is.
4. Gazing at moments retrospectively is a fascinating idea - how did you decide upon the symbol of the firework and what does it symbolize for you?
The news that nearly 150,000 Hong Kong people have immigrated to the United Kingdom in two years after the BNO program (British National Overseas) Visa Initiative, was authorized by the United Kingdom, has made me think about where Hong Kongers belong and what my personal identity is. Reflecting on that, I realized that my life has been heavily influenced by British colonial culture, including some of my values and attitudes. However, as time passes, Hong Kong's system, culture and education are slowly connecting with China's development, and this change is an inevitable stage that can be predicted. At the same time, it is not easy to adapt to. Therefore, I considered using fireworks as a metaphor to create a visual impact that speaks of the tension between a beautiful moment and the anticipated changes of the firework. In Hong Kong, the National Day of fireworks symbolises the important post-colonial transition and the return to the motherland. My firework imagery is like a countdown of the "50 years of unchanged policy" after the handover. This is a beautiful sight for some people, but it is full of uncertainty for others. Just as fireworks are essentially gunpowder but processed and controlled to create a beautiful and bright-coloured pattern with loud noises.
5. You explore the emotional value of time within this body of work, the retrospective gaze of recorded firework displays, and the physical process of the woodcut printing process - can you expand upon the notion of time within 'A Fleeting Moment'?
The concept of time is crucial to this work. The main reason why I want to explore the emotional value of time is because of the sudden changes in Hong Kong's administrative policies in recent years, which made me feel its abruptness.
From reviewing recorded fireworks celebrations to producing prints and moving images, this allowed me to voice out the issue by manipulating, capturing, and recreating those critical moments within my work. When I look back at video footage of displays, I can control whether the film plays, pauses, or rewinds, which is directly manipulating and intervening in the time with the intention to visualise the explosions in greater detail and discover key moments possibly overlooked by the eyes the first time.
As for the woodcutting process, when I make the firework patterns, I carefully carve the lines and try to avoid making mistakes that might destroy the integrity of the image. The process of carving is like touching gunpowder. Therefore, making a woodcut requires both alertness and timing, allowing me to experience the danger of an explosion.
Finally, making moving images by rearranging and editing the prints allowed me to understand the fireworks' deterrent and value from my perspective. It made me rethink the changes in the city and my own identity.
‘A Fleeting Moment’ by ARROW LAI SIU-WAI, Image courtesy of the artist 2023.