Haoyang Qian (b. 1998 in Nantong, China) received his BA at Xi' an Academy of Fine Art in 2020 and is currently an MA candidate at the Royal College of Art in London.
Haoyang Qian
My recent works revolve around the intricate dynamics between humans and animals, with a particular emphasis on the power relationship between humans and domesticated animals. While we often promote the idea of a harmonious connection between people and pets, we tend to overlook the underlying power dynamics at play. Animals, unable to express their true thoughts through language, are subject to humans' interpretations based on our own logical cognition. This reliance on language impedes direct communication between humans and animals, further perpetuating the power imbalance.
Moreover, abstract language has long been regarded as the differentiating factor between humans and animals. However, in my graduation work, I delve into the potential transformation of the ontology of humans and animals through language exploration. By focusing on language as a catalyst, I aim to challenge the conventional notion of human superiority and explore the possibility of reshaping the relationship between humans and animals.
Synopsis
This story is about a fish. This fish lives in his master’s house now with his 8 siblings. He observes his master’s life every day. One day, he finds he can use bubble to speak human language. So, he become the special one of these fishes. He became friends with the master, and his master was willing to teach him human knowledge. However, he learned from his master that he has only five months of memory.
This film happened on the fourth month and 30th days after the fish learned to speak. Tomorrow he would lose his memory of that day. In order not to let himself forget, he decided to record this memory.
