吳  郁  欣           l        YuHsin Wu

One Foot in Distance

Medium: acrylic

Dimensions: 12"(W)x12"(L)x8.5"(H)

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柵欄隔離的僅僅是一小步的物理距離，然而，真正阻隔的卻是我們不願移動那一步去理解對方的心理距離-One Foot in Distance揭示了這段微妙且矛盾的距離。當我們移動這一步，既改變了物理上的觀看位置，也挑戰了我們對彼此的理解和接納。而這一步，同時隱喻了移民與主流社會之間持續存在的緊張關係。

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這件雕塑描繪了一堵象徵美國夢的白色柵欄，逐步轉變為中文字體「自由」的形態演變。白色柵欄對於許多移民來說，不僅承載著對理想生活的嚮往，也是通往自由道路上層層關卡的挑戰集合體：文化適應與身份認同的掙扎，制度限制與社會偏見的壓力。無形的心理障礙與有形的制度壁壘交織其間，形成重重困境。

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作品邀請觀者直視這些物理與心理的邊界，透過理解來解構隔離雙方的障礙，重新思考隔離與連結間的動態關係。

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The fence separates only a small step of physical distance; however, the true barrier lies in our unwillingness to take that step to understand each other’s perspectives. One Foot in Distance reveals this subtle yet paradoxical distance. Taking that step not only shifts our physical vantage point but also challenges our understanding and acceptance of one another. At the same time, this step metaphorically represents the persistent tensions between immigrants and mainstream society.

 

This sculpture depicts a white picket fence symbolizing the American Dream, gradually transforming into the Chinese character for "freedom." For many immigrants, the white picket fence embodies not only their aspirations for an ideal life but also the layered challenges on the path to freedom: struggles with cultural adaptation and identity, pressures of systemic restrictions, and societal prejudice. Intangible psychological barriers intertwine with tangible institutional constraints, creating complex obstacles.

 

The work invites viewers to confront these physical and psychological boundaries, encouraging them to deconstruct the barriers separating us through understanding and to rethink the dynamic relationship between separation and connection.