The "Closer" Series is my first systematic attempt at creating a series of life documentaries. True to its name, the content is about documenting life in a closer, more detailed way. Starting from January 2016, each month's life vignettes have been woven into 1 to 2-minute films.
Additionally, there are special episodes for each season: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter·Spring. Five years later, in 2021, I once again made two seasonal "Closer" films. Witnessing the eruption of a volcano on New Year's Eve last year, I knew I wanted to bring back the "Closer" series this year.
Although I lived alone for many years and didn’t feel extremely lonely, it’s impossible to say I never questioned my choices or confronted doubts about my individuality, existence, and life value. This was one of the most significant issues for me in the past. Over the past few years, I have been rediscovering the balance between "living in the moment" and "documenting the moment" during a period of significant self-change. Due to work reasons, I even started to lose interest in my beloved photography and avoided using the equipment that once inspired my creativity. Of course, I began meeting more and more friends, which brought me joy and peace. The intrinsic value of this is fundamentally the same as when I used to stay alone in my hometown mountains with a camera creating art.
From middle school to high school, I spent all my savings to buy a five-meter track, a crane, stabilisers, and other film equipment. Every day, I would eagerly carry camera lenses and tripods when going out. Now, I find myself happier with fewer gears(normally just one camera) when heading out. What exactly does documenting life mean to me? Different stages of life have brought me much understanding and interpretation. And now, I'm still on the path of exploration. But at this moment, I genuinely feel more proud and brave. Without reaching the relative balance I have today, I probably wouldn't have resumed making this series of films.
This year, in Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter·Spring, I will share my new life with you.
Starting with "Winter" featuring volcanoes and northern lights, my beautiful friends and family and our mother Earth.
Winter · Spring
Emerging from the city's tunnels, one enters a valley tinged with the colours of sunset, where goats wander in search of food and rivers flow swiftly through the canyon. In Chengdu, a city that typically experiences only one or two snowfalls a year, this winter brought a snowfall that excited everyone.
After returning home for the Spring Festival, everything was so peaceful and unchanged. We celebrated the new year amidst the gradually blooming cherry and pear blossoms. During the Qingming Festival, we returned to our parents' hometown to pay respects at the graves and picked fresh oranges and tea leaves. The scent of spring is the scent of home.
Winter
Spring
