"Sardine SOS Tomato" (茄汁沙丁鱼)
// BLURB //
In 1905 at the International Radiotelegraph Conference in Berlin, the famous “SOS” distress signal was first proposed. In morse code, three dots, three dashes, and another three dots. It was an easy way to remember and transmit, making it quickly adopted worldwide by 1908. Over time the phrase "Save Our Ship!" was coined by lost sailors who hoped that a blue-finned siren would answer their call and lead them to safety. More spiritual voyagers preferred the phrase “Save Our Souls!” in times of adversity. Either way, it is known as a call for help. As I’m navigating these words, I begin to wonder further about the meaning of the distress signal. Was it merely a call for help, or was it a metaphor for the human condition? Did we all, in some way, send out our own SOS signals, begging for rescue from the trials and tribulations of life? In the Tao Te Ching, a fundamental Chinese text for Taoism, Lao Tzu writes, "The wise man is one who knows, what he does not know." This implies that it is wise to recognize when one needs help or guidance and to seek it out when necessary. As I reach safety at the end of this paragraph, I realize that the SOS distress signal is also a symbol of hope. It’s a call to action, a reminder that even in the darkest of moments, help is always available in a tightly packed can of sardines in tomato sos.
In 1905 at the International Radiotelegraph Conference in Berlin, the famous “SOS” distress signal was first proposed. In morse code, three dots, three dashes, and another three dots. It was an easy way to remember and transmit, making it quickly adopted worldwide by 1908. Over time the phrase "Save Our Ship!" was coined by lost sailors who hoped that a blue-finned siren would answer their call and lead them to safety. More spiritual voyagers preferred the phrase “Save Our Souls!” in times of adversity. Either way, it is known as a call for help. As I’m navigating these words, I begin to wonder further about the meaning of the distress signal. Was it merely a call for help, or was it a metaphor for the human condition? Did we all, in some way, send out our own SOS signals, begging for rescue from the trials and tribulations of life? In the Tao Te Ching, a fundamental Chinese text for Taoism, Lao Tzu writes, "The wise man is one who knows, what he does not know." This implies that it is wise to recognize when one needs help or guidance and to seek it out when necessary. As I reach safety at the end of this paragraph, I realize that the SOS distress signal is also a symbol of hope. It’s a call to action, a reminder that even in the darkest of moments, help is always available in a tightly packed can of sardines in tomato sos.
EDITION, MEDIA, SIZE & WEIGHT
Unique Edition, Shanghai 2023
TFT display, acrylic painting on Plexiglass, media player, teakwood frame
51(W)×51(H)×6.5(D) cm // 11.75 kg
TECH SPECS
• 1×SLC MICRO SD Card
• 1×LS424 media player
• 15" TFT LCD display with LED backlight - TKUN JT1500-HD (INPUT 12V 4A)
• 1×MWLPV20-5 (INPUT 100~240VAC@0.55A / OUTPUT 5V@3A)
• 1×ADP-48D12 (INPUT 100~240VAC@1.5A / OUTPUT 12VDC@4A)
CRATE SIZE & WEIGHT
66(W)×66(H)×21(D) cm // 26.63 kg
EXPOSURE
“Welcome To The Neighborhood” at island6 Shanghai
CREDITS
Wang Chuanwen 王传文 (painting) • Zhang Tian Yi 张天依 (performance) • Yeung Sin Ching 杨倩菁 (production supervisor) • Thomas Charvériat (art direction & animation) • Tiara Alvarado-Leon (blurb)
Unique Edition, Shanghai 2023
TFT display, acrylic painting on Plexiglass, media player, teakwood frame
51(W)×51(H)×6.5(D) cm // 11.75 kg
TECH SPECS
• 1×SLC MICRO SD Card
• 1×LS424 media player
• 15" TFT LCD display with LED backlight - TKUN JT1500-HD (INPUT 12V 4A)
• 1×MWLPV20-5 (INPUT 100~240VAC@0.55A / OUTPUT 5V@3A)
• 1×ADP-48D12 (INPUT 100~240VAC@1.5A / OUTPUT 12VDC@4A)
CRATE SIZE & WEIGHT
66(W)×66(H)×21(D) cm // 26.63 kg
EXPOSURE
“Welcome To The Neighborhood” at island6 Shanghai
CREDITS
Wang Chuanwen 王传文 (painting) • Zhang Tian Yi 张天依 (performance) • Yeung Sin Ching 杨倩菁 (production supervisor) • Thomas Charvériat (art direction & animation) • Tiara Alvarado-Leon (blurb)
CLOSE-UPS
VIDEO
