[Work Side by Side] (2001) sees the deformed identical twins – one without hands and the other without legs – riding a tandem. The tandem is widely used in Taiwan tourist attractions. Because this bicycle is designed for two riders, one behind the other, they need to work together to control the bike smoothly. Besides, the identical twins’ faces are white with blushes on their cheeks. This makeup was commonly used for zombies in horror movies of Hong Kong-based production during the 1980s. It is believed that the zombies during the Qing Dynasty were living dead whose soul is mortal but whose body is immortal.
This artwork involves a fable. In the fable, the deformed identical twins in “present lives” shared a feeling of fraternity in “previous lives.” However, during the previous lives they fought for a beautiful woman, killing each other to death by slashing hands and legs on a street. In Taiwanese traditional society, it is believed that karma makes these two people turn the deformed identical twins – one without hands and the other without legs – in “present lives.” Only by working together can they lead a good life now.
At the first sight of [Work Side by Side] (2001) and [We’re All in the Same Boat] (2002), the audience may think that these pieces of artwork demonstrate the concept of karma from Buddhism and Taiwanese traditional society. However, the truth is that I borrow heavily from folklore and beliefs in order to imply my observation of political phenomena in Taiwan. The two pieces of work also maintain the consistently long-held implication of sexual desires and symbolic objects in my artworks. By more subtle and less direct methods, I always prefer to express my personal dissatisfaction with the political troubles in Taiwan.
Due to the difference of a sense of national identity and political power struggles, politicians attack and smear their rivals. The severely historical and socio-political criticism hurt the feelings of ordinary people living in Taiwan, breaking the people of mixed race apart. Therefore, [Work Side by Side] (2001) sees the flawed and deformed bodies symbolizing the deeply hurt feelings. In addition, I use the team sports – tandem riding and dragon boat racing – to inspire Taiwanese people to have a sense of comradeship and a community of destiny.
｜Wu Tien-Chang
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