Year of Production: 2025
Country of Origin: Hong Kong
Medium: Installation / Mixed Media
Concept / Idea:
Inspired by the relentless flow of Bangkok’s heavy traffic jams, my artwork captures the city’s dynamic patterns to create engaging audio-visual experiences. While documenting these congested moments, I noticed how locals adapt, with some finding unexpected value in the gridlock. One driver’s positive attitude stood out, as they used traffic jams as a pocket of free time to relax and enjoy TV shows. This perspective of turning frustration into opportunity inspired my work, reframing heavy traffic as a space for creativity and calm.
Inspiration / Context:
Traffic Destiny reimagines traffic congestion by using episodes of the Thai soap opera Love Destiny as a unit to measure time spent in Bangkok’s traffic jams. Drawing inspiration from a driver who watches TV series during gridlock, the piece synchronizes traffic videos with the show using motion tracking: the drama plays when traffic slows (low motion rate) and pauses when it flows smoothly (high motion rate). At the peak of intense scenes, the unpredictable rhythm of traffic often halts the narrative, reflecting the interplay between urban constraints and moments of escapism.
Artist Statement:
Traffic Destiny transforms Bangkok’s heavy traffic jams into an audio-visual experience, inspired by a driver who finds enjoyment in gridlock by watching TV series. Using Thai soap operas to measure congestion time, the work synchronizes traffic videos with the drama via motion tracking. Unpredictable traffic often halts climactic scenes, reflecting the interplay of urban constraints and escapism. The piece invites viewers to see traffic jams as spaces for creativity and narrative.
