In The Name of Secondization 2021
The Grotesqueries of JC Jessie
“When the tradition smashes with the digital, a sacred door is slammed open… into the surrealistic realm of the ancient opera beings …releasing blessings to us all.”
– JC Jessie, Project Originator & Artist 2021
In the digital world, numerous manifestations can be generated in one split second, whereas tradition is the result of accumulations day after day.
In fathoming the depth of Chinese/ Hong Kong cultural heritage, Cantonese Opera is our signature cultural evidence that carries brilliant visual forms, literature, and intriguing audio presentation. Other than factors related to its function in performances, the richness of material culture delineates on the Cantonese Opera Costumes justify the Chinese’s attitude towards aspiration for benefaction and vigor in life.
This project is based on the specific research and artistic creation of JC Jessie, whose ambition is to call for attention to the rebirth of a nearly lost history and an intangible cultural art form of Hong Kong.
Under this digital exercise, spectators may be excited by the newfound possibilities of seeing some ancient yet familiar artifacts on a novel digital platform through interactive online and offline activities. A rising path to explore the bridging of the “Old” and “ New” in cultural, physical, and technological aspects, while the entertaining and informative attributes of Cantonese opera are being executed at the same time. Ultimately, a goal is to reclaim the energetic spirit of Hong Kong Cantonese Opera.
This project is supported by Hong Kong Arts Development Council “Arts Go Digital Platform Scheme
Awards
Immersive Virtual Reality
Catch Me If You Can 2021
360 Immersive Virtual Reality Experience
Cantonese Opera Costume is one of the intangible Cultural Heritage in Hong Kong, its richness in material culture justifies human’s attitude towards aspiration for benefaction and vigor in life.
Each grotesque (artifact), like auspicious clouds, peonies, luck bat, and water boundaries embedded with diversified blessings from our ancestors now appeared not only on the costumes but on a novel digital platform.
This Immersive Virtual Reality is based on the specific research and artistic creation of JC Jessie, whose ambition is to rebirth a nearly lost history and an intangible art form of Hong Kong.
In the artwork, other than those specific cultural characters, there are also landscapes ie, the Lion Mountain, cityscapes, Victoria harbor, and architects of Hong Kong to enhance a sense of belongings and intimacy of the city.
Into the Clouds
Textile Installation 2021
Mixed Media
Size Variable
Into the clouds we go
Unreachable yet close
Flying through in high speed or diving in low
Encounter the kind of softness humans cannot resist
Looking down to the mundane
The celestial beholds
Years after years the whiteness buffer the antics
Flip-flopping the grey with plethoric pokes
Is it processing now or at a no-man show?
Saved or unsafe who cares for the soul
What is behind the clouds no absolute “Yes” or “No”
Into the clouds we go
Retract your past routes
All have been reset and not shown
Photo Credit : Mr. Dino Paul Ip
Video Credit : Knocknock Avant