Infinite Yearn

Passage of Night: Luminary Rising

Artist(s): Lawrence Liang & Jordan Ritchie

‘Infinite Yearn’ is a multimedia technology artwork that integrates a laser engraver and a thermochromic surface to produce imagery that starts to fade as soon as it is written. The walls of artwork is encased in aluminium panels and translucent acrylic that is illuminated within from the bright blue laser head.

The artwork intertwines two poignant narratives: the mythological tale of Hou Yi and Chang’e from Chinese folklore and the real-life struggles of the Windrush Generation from Jamaica in Great Britain. Hou Yi and Chang’e’s eternal separation mirrors the struggles of the Windrush immigrants facing barriers to citizenship and belonging.

Jordan Ritchie and Lawrence Liang’s creation encapsulates themes of loss, desire, and diaspora, inviting viewers to reflect on the complexities of cultural heritage and the enduring human need for connection.

Transcript:

你是来旅游吗？(are you here travelling?)

回来看我妈妈，(yeah, I am visiting my family)

我七岁从上海 (I left home when I was really young)

搬到澳大利亚 (to a faraway place)

你想一起去吗？

和我一起去美术馆 (do you want to go together, go with me?)

可以呀 (sure, that sounds good)

叫我佳怡就好 (you can call me Jia Yi)

我今天玩得很开心, (I had a lot of fun today)

谢谢你和我一起去 (thank you for coming with me)

我也很开心哈哈 (I also had a good time, haha)