Chenxi "Catherine" Zhang
“I got lost in the memories I created”
I worked with my fast 5 years in this series of photos. To me, memory is one of the most important things. It is something that makes me who I am, yet also something I will never let go of. I document objects that have happened, yet create journeys that never happened as another character. Those memories are like mirrors that create tons of reflection of myself, with each one of them shouting and asking, “Who are you?”
In regard of time in CT and future in SMFA@Tufts, MA
—— Chenxi Zhang 张宸溪
—— Chenxi Zhang 张宸溪
Agua Album
Complex emotions towards our family are something that makes humans unique. No matter where we are, those memories along with emotions support our passion for living, as well as contributing to the pretty world we see. However, I lost most of them. I could remember the event that occurred, but I couldn’t remember the face: the person with whom I spent my happiest time.
In this video, I used light and water as a tool to repair the time with my family. Light is the source that keeps me brave at night when I have to stay in a room all alone. Water brings memory along and remembers it for us. Whenever we need memory, water will always be there. So I used water to dissolve the face on the photograph in order to visualize the disappearance of my memory. Then I place the photograph in the water and project it in a dark space. As light comes out of the projector, forming the photograph on the wall, I blow the water with a hairdryer so that the water fluctuates. By placing the black & white faces under the hole and with some film editing, faces replaced the black holes, lighting up the dark space with the help of the projector. Even though not clear enough for me to see every detail that appened on those days, I could still recognize who they are: they are the ones that always support me no matter what happens.
Houses in the Distance
Most of my childhood memories were those buildings around me, since I’m a single child that was born and raised in cities. When my parents were off to work, different shaped buildings are the ones that accompany me the most. That’s why when I arrive in another city, the first thing I notice and remember are those architectures. Even though I couldn’t remember those details, I could recall the general shape and location.
This set of photos visualizes my memory of houses in my host mom’s neighborhood. For the past 4 years, I stayed in Connecticut, my second home, for most of the time throughout a year. I created cyanotype prints of my houses because those blue geometric shapes are similar to how I remember things. Even though those houses cannot talk, they are the ones that tell me: "You are no longer alone.”
I recollected memories of the environment I used to live in. I took pictures of houses in my host mom’s neighborhood in black and white negatives. Black and white photos represent my clear memory of those buildings, while negative photos show that in fact, I couldn’t remember every part of those buildings. Later I removed the detailed part of those houses that I couldn’t remember by cutting them out in order to form the template. Those templates help me to create cyanotype prints, which show my memory in geometry forms that are easier to remember. Those prints and templates were being placed in a screenshot with Photoshop as my workplace, along with the red transparent area that shows the light.
Light Experiment (inspired by Barbara Kasten)
The Story 19 Years Later
I started to live in West Haven when I left China for my education. Margaret Mitchells once wrote, “Tomorrow is another day”. To me, it not only means that the numbers on the calendar does change, but also records my emotions that West Haven gave me, just like those rotten creatures of the sea. I always goes to the beach near host mom’s house, either walking or jogging along the salty water. Until a senior told me, “I see sadness in you”.
In this set of photos, I dreamed myself being a fish who cannot close her eyes. With the help from tide, I created stop motion videos of the ocean. Along with higher and lower notes from my guzheng, I simulated my emotion since I arrived in West Haven. As the tide rises and falls, the note goes up and down, those high-impact images appears clearer and clearer. Under the calm surface, things are rotting.
In this set of photos, I dreamed myself being a fish who cannot close her eyes. With the help from tide, I created stop motion videos of the ocean. Along with higher and lower notes from my guzheng, I simulated my emotion since I arrived in West Haven. As the tide rises and falls, the note goes up and down, those high-impact images appears clearer and clearer. Under the calm surface, things are rotting.
Hamden Hall Country Day School
1108 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, Connecticut 06517
Phone: 203-752-2600
Fax: 203-752-2651
admissions@hamdenhall.org
Hamden, Connecticut 06517
Phone: 203-752-2600
Fax: 203-752-2651
admissions@hamdenhall.org
About Us
Hamden Hall Country Day School, located less than two miles from Yale University, is one of the best private schools in Connecticut to enroll elementary, middle, and high school students. Our nurturing and inclusive community provides a dynamic learning environment that promotes academic excellence by understanding each child and fostering their individual growth.
