Jolt | yuhsinwu

Jolt, 2022

Medium: 11.5 lbs of wood, 12 lbs of tensile strength monofilament, exterior force

Dimensions: 8’ x8’ x 2”

Jolt explores the intersection of identity status and geographic location within unstable social structures. The oscillating module symbolizes a piece of land that shifts underfoot in a state of flux or change. The intersecting bars represent coordinates on axes or individuals with different points of view. The position of where you and I stand is always delineated by two contradictory axes. The moment the structure of our biases collapses, change begins.

Before stepping into the exhibition of Jolt, a constant percussive sound is heard. When the audience enters the exhibition space, they will first see the grid structure 2” above the ground banging the wall back and forth from time to time. Jolt is 6'x6' internally. 8'x8'x2” total. It weighs 11.5 lbs and is suspended by 12 lbs tensile strength of monofilament. The way the grid is hung reflects the structural threshold of the grid itself. The color of the structure is similar to the ground. Jolt divides the space into 3 sections: the space in front of the structure, inside the upheaval system and the location after you have traversed the system. The traces left by the impact of the structure created a new landscape on the wall.

“On June 4, 2021, when I was on my way home on the Chicago L train Brown Line, a man with a hammer in his hand walked towards me while banging the seats one by one...”

Jolt implies the social distance that one occupies in the volume of space. I am an Asian woman living in the United States. The crossed bars in Jolt reference how social issues are intertwined with identity status and geographic location. The voice of resistance is presented in a deep, but sonorous and powerful form. Asian hate crimes have increased 149% since the pandemic (Stop AAPI Hate National Report, 2021). Racism has been built into our systems. Prejudice exists in systematic discrimination.

當你尚未走入《Jolt》的展場時，便能聽見持續不斷的敲擊聲。觀眾一踏入空間，首先映入眼簾的是懸浮於離地兩吋高的格狀結構，時不時來回撞擊牆面。《Jolt》的內部尺寸為6x6英尺，整體尺寸為8x8x2英尺，重量為11.5磅，懸吊於承重力為12磅的單線透明線上。懸掛方式暗示了格狀結構自身的臨界點。結構的色彩與地面相近。《Jolt》將空間劃分為三個區域：結構前方的空間、系統內部的動盪區域，以及觀眾穿越系統後的所在位置。格狀物撞擊牆面所留下的痕跡，形塑了一幅新的牆面景觀。

「2021年6月4日，我搭乘芝加哥L線地鐵Brown Line返家途中，一名手持鐵鎚的男子一邊走近我，一邊逐一敲打座椅……」

《Jolt》暗示了個體在空間體積中所佔據的社會距離。作為一位居住於美國的亞洲女性，我的作品中的交叉桿象徵著社會議題與身份狀態及地理位置之間密不可分的關係。抵抗的聲音在此轉化為一種低沉而有力的共鳴。自疫情以來，針對亞裔的仇恨犯罪上升了149%（資料來源：Stop AAPI Hate 2021全國報告）。種族歧視早已內建於社會制度之中，偏見體現在結構性的歧視裡。

Thanks to the anonymous individuals who have supported me—without your input,

I wouldn’t be able to move closer to realizing my vision.