Happenings: Drawings in the Aqueduct

Happenings : Drawings in the Aqueduct (Part 1), 2023

偶發事件：引水道裹的畫（上）

Time: 29/9/2023 6PM - 30/9/2023 8PM

Drawings, graffiti, space, time

Dimensions variable

*"黑犬齒透明盒子3“ Yuen Long, Hong Kong

在特定時間下將三幅畫放在空曠的引水道内，讓户外環境和難以預測的天氣把它們塑造成另一個模樣。到了第二天，雨毫無徵兆地降落下來。

I placed three drawings in the empty waterway at specific times, allowing the outdoor environment and unpredictable weather to shape them into another shape.

On the second day, it was raining.

While wandering around a few weeks ago, I discovered this place—a semi-open underground drainage space with multiple balancing structures. Outside lies a wide open field, with grass growing along both sides. In Hong Kong, drainage channels serve as connections between the city and the outskirts, collecting natural rainwater and transporting it to different areas. I intuitively felt that it would be an ideal site for live art to take place.

So I coordinated with some friends to organize a two-day event there. In one of the channels, I installed three charcoal drawings and also created graffiti directly on the walls. The works blended into the environment, and at night, the space was filled with a strong sense of atmosphere and mystery.

Night

Day

After Raining ：The live art was originally planned to continue on the second day, but heavy rain arrived, flooding the drainage channels. As a result, we decided to postpone the event. The drawings left there were also soaked by the water.

Happenings : Drawings in the Aqueduct (Part 2), 2023

偶發事件：引水道裹的畫（下）

Time: 11/11/2023 12PM —12PM

Drawings, graffiti, space, time

Dimensions variable

*"黑犬齒透明盒子3“ Yuen Long, Hong Kong

被雨水灌溉的畫。凝固的露珠。火焰燃起、蔓延、熄滅、又再燃起。漆黑之下的暗原來能百花繚亂。

Drawings irrigated by rain. Solidified dewdrops. The flame ignited, was spared, extinguished, and then ignited again. The darkness under the dark could turn out to be dazzling like hundredths of flowers.

The second time, we gathered here again. The ground of the channel had already dried as the water evaporated, and artists and viewers moved between conversation and quiet leisure.

Because the drawings had been soaked by the rain, I carefully brought them home and let them dry. Then, to incorporate the presence of rain into the work’s narrative, I applied a semi-transparent, flowing gel onto two of the framed pieces. When placed back in the drainage channel, the external light reflected across their surfaces, making the images appear as if covered in rainwater.
As for the unframed piece, I attached it to the wall and used fire to burn irregular holes into it.

Through this experience, I came to understand more deeply the uncontrollable nature of the natural environment. In the face of its force, humans and artworks alike are but tiny specks of dust. Yet this realization only strengthens my desire to see people use their intelligence and actions to uncover the unique potential that belongs to humanity.

At this moment, the works were not only presenting visual effects; they were also holding within them traces of events and time, as if they had become living entities.