Zhefan Gu — The Recluse
Compost & Cosmos — Summer 2023
The Recluse attempts to simulate the moment when individuals encounter collective applause.
The project explores the complex relationship between the individual and the collective, particularly the conflicts that arise in moments of applause. It depicts a scene in which everyone present is applauding, while the individual resists internally. Compelled by the actions of others, they mimic the act of applauding without producing an audible sound. Through this silent participation, they play a hidden role in the crowd, a recluse concealed within the realm of social coherence.
It aims to prompt reflection on the space that the individual has when it comes to their behavior in public spaces. It encourages the viewer to contemplate the intricate dynamics between personal identity and the pressure of societal expectations.
