Fly, Fly

Before the rise of smartphones and social media, literature and art were necessary means for people to nurture their inner selves and explore the world. Today, time flies, but those stories remain vibrant. For this event, we invite renowned writer Hong Ying, artist Jiang Zhi, and cultural critic and curator Ju Baiyu to take you back to the literary and artistic scene of the 1980s and 1990s.

Hong Ying is a celebrated female writer from Chongqing, with works translated and published in 32 countries. Her notable books include Daughter of The River and Good Children of The Flower. She is the original author of the films Lyceum Theatre and Lord of Shanghai. Her self-written and directed film, Moonlight Warrior, has won multiple international honors, including “Best Directorial Debut” at the Dublin International Film Festival (DIFF) and “Best International Feature” at the 2024 Atlanta Film Festival, showcasing her cross-disciplinary talent that spans literature and film.

Jiang Zhi is a contemporary art pioneer from Yuanjiang, Hunan. He works across photography, painting, video, installation, as well as novels and poetry. He is adept at transforming everyday experiences into textual works. In 1997, he created his first video work, “Fly, Fly,” featured in this exhibition, where a hand mimics the flapping of bird wings in an indoor space. Although composed of just a few shots, it fluidly encapsulates the fantasies and passions of urban dwellers in their lonely retreats.

This interview will be hosted by cultural critic and curator Ju Baiyu, who has curated and hosted Tencent’s first contemporary art documentary series and the audio program “Disenchantment” by Vistopia, using vibrant and in-depth expressions to bring the public closer to art. In this event, she will connect the creative trajectories of the two guests from a professional perspective, guiding the audience to a deeper understanding of the sense of time and spirituality behind their works.