0.5mm [Enter]

Yingqi Puffy Zhao

Degree: MFA

Area: Metals

Thesis Statement

A red seed in my palm [enter]

A red net on my arm [enter]

The red darkens [enter]

The red alone [cursor]

I am drawn to microscopic structures of living forms. The idea that how creatures are perceived by human eyes could be entirely different from the imagery revealed by a microscope, makes me ponder whether I am able to capture the reality of anything merely through direct observation and visual reproduction. I begin researching the expansive subject of microscopy from an origin point of cell, while reflecting on what composes my flesh and bone. Instead of depicting the familiar human form that is exposed to naked eyes, I choose to present the imagined segments, altered versions, and memorized episodes of human form from a cell perspective, which are processed by the microscope in my head.

There are two identities living inside the physical me. One of the duo is blank, calm, logical, organized, and restricted; the other one is full, dramatic, emotional, chaotic, and free. I am intrigued and inspired by the process of uniting materials that have distinctive texture, color, toughness, and transparency, which enables me to express my dual identities, and helps me visualize the growth of a newborn from an ambiguous seed to a matured form. I incorporate laser engraved, laser cut, and hand painted leather which represents the skin cell, transparent resin components that are modeled in Rhinoceros, 3D printed, fabricated, then painted by hand which represents the blood cell and the fat cell, fabricated then formed sterling silver which represents the muscle cell, and laser engraved, laser cut, then fabricated transparent acrylic as well as acrylic mirror which represents the bone cell.

That red awakes [enter]

That red burns out [enter]

Their red sings in silence [enter]

Their red smiles like a child [period]