lucid dream is a dream in which one is aware that one is dreaming, a dream state with the dreamer remaining fully conscious.

Looking back at my own experiences of dreams, indeed, there were times I was very aware that I was in a dream. It only took certain momentum or one significant clue in the dream to bring me to my consciousness, knowing that “ah, it’s a dream.”

In my dreams, I saw my childhood playmates; I was with my family going out on a picnic, with the sun shining bright in the sky, and a refreshing scent in the air. Being aware that I was a grown-up already, I saw my playmates remained as children by contrast. I realized that I was in a dream. I felt the happiness for real, even I was in a dream.

In reality, we think and act in response to messages received through our senses and body. By contrast, in a lucid dream we are allowed to perceive the self within.

In this exhibition, videos and video installations are used as the media. The settings in the videos have been created on the basis of observations on one’s daily experiences, but with certain modifications, or re-production sometimes. In the narration, I have multiple identifications, respectively performing certain moments of life, moments of private experiences in common. Like my previous works, the narration emphasizes greatly on events or places about dining and foods. On one hand, it is out of my personal passion. On the other hand, eating represents elements and experiences indispensable to life. The audience can easily identify themselves in the videos through reflections and recollections, and then extend their imaginations eventually.

Lucid dreaming seems to provide with us a stage opener than the daily life to express and exert any things we can imagine. In a lucid dream, we could meet with people we miss, overcome fears in reality, and enjoy being free completely. Artistic creation serves the same purpose, I think.
- Liao Chi Yu 

Courtesy of IT Park