Today we’d like to introduce you to Xiaojing Wang.
Hi Xiaojing, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Hi, this is Xiaojing Wang, Leo. Graduated from the School of the Visual Arts Photography and Videos department in New York. Presently, I live in Shanghai working as an independent photographer and director. During my college years, I focused on creating narratives about human relationships, exploring the interaction between art and individuals, and expressing inner emotions. I believe in a multidimensional universe where numerous parallel worlds exist simultaneously. I often ponder, ‘Could fantasies, memories, and feelings intersect in another dimension?’
My aim has been to capture fleeting moments from people’s subconscious – those moments that pass by in the blink of an eye – using either static or dynamic mediums. Therefore, my creative outlets evolved gradually from images to moving pictures.
Simultaneously influenced by vintage fashion and rock music, I’ve been active as a fashion photographer/cinematographer. Collaborating with independent fashion designers for brand campaigns or being involved in live album shoots for bands such as ‘Oh! DirtyFingers’, I deeply enjoy using visual media as a supportive tool for other artists to express or record their thoughts, feeling like my own value merges into the flow of their lives.
Speaking of my first short film, ‘Weather Forecast,’ my aim was to narrate a story that revolves around kind gestures being passed among strangers. Using a child’s perspective, I portrayed a heartwarming story where the grandmother tells her grandson, due to the missing cat, that ‘loving people will meet again.’ Unintentionally conveyed in a random conversation between the boy and a stranger, this wisdom sparks enlightenment in the man dealing with emotional confusion. The film attempts to convey the idea that adults should listen to children, fostering equal communication to establish deeper connections. The ending shows the slow-paced communication between the boy and the man through notes and letters, outlining a desire for a balanced, less hurried modern life.
Moreover, this work signifies my transition from a photography major to a film director, transcending the boundaries of photography and using visuals to tell stories. The enlightenment to shoot across disciplines arose during a solo trip to Norway. Conversations with strangers and reflections on interpersonal distances inspired me to convey, through dynamic imagery, emotions from memories, contemplation between urban and natural settings, and observations on human relationships. The short film endowed me with a deeper exploration of the stories and emotions behind moving images.
Beyond my roles as a photographer and director, I’ve actively explored in interdisciplinary art. Alongside another creator, I co-founded a duo guiding improvisational art. By integrating themes with available spaces and designing clues to stimulate participants’ expressions, I discovered that spontaneous performances in unknown settings could amalgamate spaces, stories, and characters to create a ‘stage.’ All artistic forms showcased during the performance converge in post-production as visual imagery. This creative approach seeks to present the live and visual dimensions visible to participants, providing immediate and eternal experiences. This is a novel art therapy attempt, documenting participants as both observers and subjects through visual recordings. It not only demands creating a safe, intimate atmosphere for participants during preparation but also tests my sensitivity in handling imagery and participants’ interactions. These experiences gave me an opportunity to deeply understand the psychological needs and pain points of ‘audiences.’
Through conducting offline workshops guiding improvisational art, I gained a deeper understanding of the boundaries and possibilities in interpersonal relationships. I was pleasantly surprised to witness unfamiliar participants empathizing with each other through such activities while also exploring their inner traumas while observing others. As a cinematographer and editor, while organizing materials and creating secondary visual works, I vividly sensed that the boundaries between individuals could be visualized. The imagery genuinely records the thoughts and releases of participants. After witnessing, participating, and feeling the emotional expressions of others, participants unconsciously developed multifaceted perspectives and enhanced trust in human relationships. One series, ‘The Butterfly Lovers,’ was exhibited in August 2022 at the Paris group exhibition ‘Island- muteness is our common tongue,’ alongside my contemporaneous personal photography series ‘parallel world.’
These experiences and endeavors have gradually deepened my exploration of my photographic works. Photography, a well-known medium for the masses, is commonly associated with capturing moments. When I overlap photos to create parallel timelines, the images change, and events depicted in them become unreal yet still exist as real. This contradiction gives one a sense of being in another dimension.
Regardless of the medium, I aim to express my worldview and beliefs through my works. I firmly believe that people cherish the present more when they see beautiful things. When we see the beauty of ‘another world’ superimposed from our real lives, isn’t that a compelling reason to observe and cherish life better? Regardless of whether a moment in memory is sad, happy, regretful, or joyful, it’s a part of our past. Perhaps in another dimension, perceptions will be reversed, regrets in this world will be realized, and happiness will continue in another dimension. I believe this is the significance of creating art and my motivation for gradually exploring public art at this stage.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In regards to photography, I’ve been exploring new “frozen” methods. Prior to starting, I didn’t categorize my images as strictly documentary or street photography because I chose to alter certain aspects within the photos, removing them from the realm of traditional documentary photography. For me, relying solely on a photograph of the real world to convey the concept of a “parallel world” proves challenging; it tends to confuse viewers rather than express the ideas or attitudes I aim to convey. To me, a “parallel world” involves capturing reality through photography while creating images that seem realistic yet defy logical expectations, thereby preserving events concealed within the visual. Thus, as I craft my pieces, I’ve gradually developed my unique expression and style: vibrant, highly saturated colors, seemingly realistic yet defying real-world logic – all contributing to embodying the concept of a “parallel world.”
During the creative process, I’ve encountered technical challenges and creative hurdles. Facing these difficulties, I’ve found that the most effective approach is to pause, not force the process, and instead immerse myself in life. This approach extends to what I do after completing commercial projects, such as indulging in music or watching movies. Edward Yang’s film “Yi Yi” has had a profound impact on me, rekindling my sensitivity to perceive life’s nuances. During these moments, creating my own pieces helps me rediscover that initial state of creative flow – being wholly engrossed in the act of creation itself.
Balancing artistic vision with commercial viability has been an ongoing challenge in my creative journey. Initially, understanding clients’ needs without compromising my artistic integrity was difficult. Later, I worried about my creative process becoming too formulaic. To counter this, I strive to avoid confining myself to a single mode of collaboration. This approach is both responsible to myself and respectful toward future clients.
Nevertheless, I firmly believe that challenges will persist along the creative path. But by staying true to my original intentions and maintaining faith in my vision, I can courageously move forward.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My personal work often revolves around the intersection of art and personal expression, delving into fantasies, memories, and emotions. As I mentioned earlier, my creations are known for blending vibrant, high-saturation colors with seemingly real yet conceptually unconventional images, aiming to convey the concept of ‘parallel worlds’.
My approach to photography transcends traditional boundaries, intertwining reality with ineffable elements. With multiple roles like photographer, director, and editor, I create narratives that evoke emotional resonance, encouraging viewers to ponder life’s complexities and interpersonal relationships.
My works are characterized by a keen capture of vintage fashion and music, lending them fluidity and a trendy vibe. Therefore, the commercial projects I engage in possess a spiritually infused-visual display. By observing various aspects of human relationships, my dynamic visual language captures nuances others might overlook, exploring the intricate emotional landscapes within dynamic imagery. Transitioning from still to dynamic visuals has broadened my artistic horizon, enabling a deeper exploration of visual storytelling.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are various ways to collaborate with or support me. If you’re interested in engaging in creative projects together, we can collaborate on photography, cinematography, or visual storytelling. I’m open to partnerships in fashion shoots, film projects, or visual direction. Additionally, supporting me by sharing my work on social media to introduce me to potential collaborators or purchasing my photography would be immensely appreciated. Your involvement and support are significant to me and enable me to create meaningful and engaging content consistently.
Pricing:
- $1500, “Rooted”, 32.7cm*50cm (with frame), Canvas Metallic
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.xiaojingwang00.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xiaojingwang00/
Image Credits
Xiaojing Wang
