City Labyrinth: Snow White's Perplexing Journey
白雪BB撞香港
Mixed media (resin, beads, gears, circuit board, LED, coin acceptor), D45 x W50 x H 60 cm, 2023
混合媒介(樹脂、齒輪、電路板、LED、投幣器), D45 x W50 x H 60 cm, 2023
Through a participatory catching ball arcade machine, I invite viewers to navigate the intricate challenges of the city using Snow White as a metaphorical representation of the player's journey when engaging with the artwork. Within a transparent gaming console, the arrangement of the internal components harkens back to the innocence and often idyllic order of childhood fairy tales.
The meticulously designed catching ball machine presents a deliberate challenge, the player has a very low chance of capturing the ball throughout the game. This intentional difficulty serves as a metaphor for the struggles encountered in living and surviving in a huge city like Hong Kong.
Using a range of miniature found objects, I create obstacles within the pinball machine, each representing the multifaceted challenges encountered in career, relationships, and social interactions. As players engage with the game, a whimsical fairytale-like music creates a playful atmosphere. However, when a ball is missed, an ironic phrase like "Cheer up”, "Be more careful next time,” or "There's nothing you can do about it," is played, adding a layer of poignant reflection.
The catching ball machine challenges the belief that the naive ideals of our youth may not always apply to adult life and the art work while presented in a seemingly lighthearted format is meant to highlighting the intricate and unpredictable nature of our experiences. Ultimately, how people perceive life, whether as a mere game or a frustrating struggle, depends on their attitude.