From Source to Source
I am currently working with a group of artists to launch a community project called “From Source to Source”. It will unfold by Qinghai Lake, one of Asia’s largest lakes, surrounded by Tibetan communities. The accumulating waste has not only marred the lake’s natural beauty but also contaminated water and soil, causing considerable harm to the local ecosystem and communities. Our project will combine participatory video, performance art, documentary filmmaking and social media campaign to address the threat of tourism and garbage pollution to the health of the local culture and environment. Through an innovative “garbage recycling” process, our goal is to raise public awareness about environmental challenges and mobilize Tibetan grassroots communities to unite in safeguarding their ecosystem.
We will go on a pilgrimage journey with the with local Tibetan villagers to circle the Qinghai Lake, and collect waste left behind by tourists along our way. The garbage will be sorted by brand. When the villagers are gathered, we will organize discussions with them on how commercial products (e.g. colas and instant food) and their waste harm our health and the ecosystem. We will encourage Tibetan participants to document the processes with their smartphones or small cameras, and share these materials on social media platforms.
Following waste sorting, we will package each brand’s garbage and dispatch them to the respective waste-producing enterprises, including Coca-Cola, Red Bull, Nongfu Spring, Kangshifu Instant Noodles, etc. Along with the parcels, we will send letters soliciting the enterprises’ perspectives on addressing the issue of garbage pollution.
We will document the entire process, from garbage collection/sorting/shipping, letter composition, to the enterprises’ response. Throughout the project, we will share updates (short video/photos/articles) on our progresses through social media channels. Simultaneously, we will encourage netizens to join the campaign.
Finally, we will gather footage created by the community members and our team as well as materials of our online campaign, and edit it into a feature-length film.