Release, Rise
The project was developed during a residency in Zhu Jia Jiao, Shanghai China during summer of 2026. It was inspired by Fangsheng Bridge( 放生桥 ) in Zhujiajiao. In Chinese, "放" can mean to release, let go, or loosen our attachment to inherited structures and accumulated memories. "升" means to rise or become elevated. For me, it describes what may become possible after release: expanded awareness, received wisdom, a connection to the higher self, or a shift into another state of consciousness.
Through this installation, I wanted to draw attention back to the roots of Zhujiajiao: its water, canals, architecture, ecological systems, and traditions. I was also inspired by the local philosophy of bringing agriculture and education together to support the flourishing of future generations and the long-term well-being of the community.
The blue paper river begins on the ground and then rises into the air, transforming the familiar landscape of the canal into a suspended, sculptural form. The paper-cut gate and architectural panels create a threshold between different worlds: above and below the water, past and present, the visible and invisible, and the material and spiritual.
The aquatic plants, fish, lotus roots, and interconnected root systems invite viewers to look beneath the surface and consider the complex ecosystem that has sustained this town and its people. By elevating the river, I hope to make the familiar unfamiliar—and create a space where viewers can pause, look more deeply, release what they carry, and imagine how they might rise.
