I used both static and dynamic forms to create my work, the clay sculpture "Under My Skin" and the experimental short film "Shock." My inspiration came from personal experience. When I first arrived in Edinburgh, I had a persistent cough and took a lot of medicine, which eventually led to Henoch-Schönlein purpura, causing red spots on my legs, arms, and internal organs, as well as abdominal pain. These symptoms were not just a physical response to the new environment but also a reflection of the decline in my immune system and the internal stress of adapting to a different culture. The skin and mucous membranes are the body’s first line of defense, so when the skin starts to show issues, it can indicate deeper internal problems.
My project began with small sculptures. I used clay to create bizarrely shaped viruses and gradually added skin textures to illustrate the progression of disease. I photographed the sculptures, processed the details, and combined them with my own face to create collages that served as material for the video design. When people enter a new cultural environment, they often experience "culture shock." Beyond the psychological adjustments, the body also reacts to environmental changes—differences in water, food, air, and dust—which can impact health. Many international students, myself included, experience issues like hair loss, allergies, and rashes upon arrival. Given the slow healthcare system in the UK, timely treatment is often difficult to access. Combined with academic pressure and uncertainty about the future, this can lead to a vicious cycle of depression and insomnia. I incorporated these elements into my video, using them to create dynamic effects in the editing.
My goal was to create a dual sensory experience through both visuals and sound, allowing the audience to deeply understand the challenges and confusion international students face during cultural adjustment. I hope to draw attention to their need for psychological and medical support and encourage society to provide more comprehensive care for them.
我使用了静态和动态形式来创作我的作品——泥塑《在我皮肤之下》和实验短片《震撼》。我的灵感来自个人经历。当我刚到爱丁堡时，常常咳嗽，所以我服用了很多药物，最终导致了亨诺赫-舍恩莱因紫癜，导致我的腿部、手臂和内脏出现红斑，以及腹痛。这些症状不仅是对新环境的身体反应，也是我免疫系统下降和适应新文化所带来的内在压力的反映。皮肤和黏膜是身体的第一道防线，所以如果皮肤开始出现问题，这可能是内部问题的信号。
我的项目从小雕塑开始。我用粘土创作了奇形怪状的病毒，并逐渐添加皮肤纹理，以展示疾病的延伸。我拍摄了这些雕塑，处理了细节，并将其与我自己的面孔结合，创造了拼贴画，作为视频设计的素材。
当人们进入一个新的文化环境时，他们常常会经历“文化冲击”。除了心理调整，身体也会对环境变化做出反应——例如水、食物、空气和灰尘的差异，这些都会影响健康。许多国际学生，包括我自己，在刚到时会出现脱发、过敏和皮疹等问题。由于英国的医疗系统较慢，及时获得治疗往往很困难。再加上学业压力和对未来的不确定性，这可能导致抑郁和失眠的恶性循环。我将这些元素融入我的视频，利用它们在剪辑中创造动态效果。
我的目标是通过视觉和声音创造双重感官体验，使观众能够深入理解国际学生在文化适应过程中面临的挑战和困惑。我希望引起人们对他们心理和医疗支持需求的关注，并鼓励社会为他们提供更全面的关怀和支持。