ZOE VISUAL WORK: MA VISUAL WORKS

Wu Ming - the darkness without illumination, illustration, 2007

My MA visual project includes a series of illustrations and graphic art works that encloses the topic of ‘Wu Ming’. Wu Ming is a Buddhist word in Chinese translation. Literally, it means darkness without illumination. Actually in Buddhist theory, it refers to illusion without enlightenment. Rather than a lack of factual knowledge it is a basic error in perception that prevents people from seeing things as they really are.

In Buddhist culture, especially in Tibet Buddhism, the pig is always appeared as a symbol to describe the meaning of ‘Wu Ming’. This image became my initial icon that frequently be used in my visual work. As a metaphor, it is means ignorance, blind and greedy character in people’s mind.

Another important symbol is the hand. The hand gestures in Buddhist art called ‘Mudra’; it is a sign with holy meanings. In my work, my focus is not only the metaphors of Buddhist Mudra, but also the hand itself. Human use hands to make things, improving our lives and living surroundings, it is a tool of production, the symbol of change and revolution. However, good things might bring bad result. The hand is also figured as the inducement of desire and suffering which could lead to breaks and destroys.

What is the state of Wu Ming? In my understanding, it is the medial state between black and white, right and wrong, clear and vague. It is the state which full of wondering thoughts and lost. Although in the Buddhist theory which signifies every people has the mind of enlightenment, people in the real life are always easily enticed by their uncontrolled desire, which cause all sufferings and afflictions. In my illustrations, people close their eyes so that they are unaware of what happened to their surroundings and they can’t find the right way in front of them.

There is no one who has perfect wisdom and soul. That is the real one, the real human.

Wu Ming (part)

5 chapter's movie, 2007
I designed a four-direction face, which could be twisted and the eyes could open and close alternately। I recorded this process and made a short movie। The twisting face is appear all the time in the movie. As a metaphor, it implies a state of lost in human's mind. The movie seems meaningless, however it talks about temptation, desire, lost, confusion, meditation, and awakened. It is my thinking process and life philosophy.