AMERICA SEEN is a visual poem about the social landscape of the United States during the Trump administration and forthcoming.
It linked to me receiving my U.S. GreenCard in 2015, and my work was born out of what America means to me and what is the American Dream. In a time of political unrest and uncertainty about the future, issues of race and gender; privacy and patriotism; violence and understanding, made me want to take a closer look at my second home. This is one of the most turbulent times in American history, and I want to capture the spirit of the era.
Through my explorations of the land--from the spectacular cityscape of New York City to Florida’s tropical keys, Middle America’s sprawling plains, and at last, west to the bygone town of Bombay Beach, California--stark contrasts came to life. I witnessed the heights of glamour and the depths of decline, the scale of the land, and the diversity of race and culture. These differences are striking for someone who grew up in Taiwan, a small island country that is ethnically similar with a collectivist culture. The differences between the everyday souls I encountered on my journey were just as stark: from the happy dreamers to the lonely wanderers. Through photography, I realized my curiosity about the country is a reflection of its identity. While looking for the All-American scenes, I am searching for my own memories of Taiwan.
AMERICA SEEN is not intended only as a self-exploration of the U.S. It’s designed to document the history of this uncertain era. Through my lens, the audience can come along and see for themselves how the divided emotions blend together in search of the American Dream.
