2019
The Portuguese explorer Fernão Mendes Pinto mentioned Portas de Liampoo (Shuangyu Port under Ningbo Prefecture during the Ming Dynasty) several times in his autobiographical memoir Pilgrimage. The East Asian smuggling trade center of the 16th century no longer exists, while the location of the port continues to be debated among historians. As a part of my research on its orientation, I visited two islands of Zhoushan, where the islanders shared the legends about the Portuguese in the area and led me to the possible traces.
Based on a personal travelogue which is questioned for its authenticity and two folklores, this project reexamines the moment of creation, assembly and retrieval of fact through photography and performance, reflecting on the process of historical production. In the journey of proximity to the enigmatic maritime trade history, I pose the question to the probable participants—have you been here?
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
Have You Been Here, archival inkjet prints (framed), 2019
![]()
Have You Been Here, three-channel HD video (color, sound), 13’55’’, 2019
![]()
Have You Been Here, UV inkjet printed soft film in lightbox with aluminum frame
The Portuguese explorer Fernão Mendes Pinto mentioned Portas de Liampoo (Shuangyu Port under Ningbo Prefecture during the Ming Dynasty) several times in his autobiographical memoir Pilgrimage. The East Asian smuggling trade center of the 16th century no longer exists, while the location of the port continues to be debated among historians. As a part of my research on its orientation, I visited two islands of Zhoushan, where the islanders shared the legends about the Portuguese in the area and led me to the possible traces.
Based on a personal travelogue which is questioned for its authenticity and two folklores, this project reexamines the moment of creation, assembly and retrieval of fact through photography and performance, reflecting on the process of historical production. In the journey of proximity to the enigmatic maritime trade history, I pose the question to the probable participants—have you been here?
Have You Been Here, archival inkjet prints (framed), 2019
installation view from “Rebuild Conception” group show at L.A.P Gallery, Wuhan, CN
Have You Been Here, three-channel HD video (color, sound), 13’55’’, 2019
installation view from “Arrival” group show at Sol Koffler Gallery, Providence, RI
