Roxanne Li
Welcome to 2084, when the world has become so polluted that humans struggle to survive.
Michelle Fung Kuen-suet's latest solo exhibition, One Day in Polluta, depicts an allegorical dystopian universe as a commentary on the delicate balance between nature and human development.
In her vision of the world in 2084, there are the Great Five Industrial Nations: Contradictoria, Northlandia, Dreamland, Aristocratic Union and Republic of Strata. Within the fictional country of Contradictoria lies Polluta, an ecotopian/dystopian artist colony created from air pollution.
"The narrative of the five countries represents my vision of the geopolitical map in the Anthropocene era of 2084," she said.
In her imaginary world, all five land are experiencing environmental problems.
"Contradictoria is suffering from air pollution, Northlandia has melting glaciers, Dreamland has issues with water, Aristocratic Union is dealing with climate refugees and Republic of Strata is facing floods," she said.
The title of this imaginative world is reminiscent of renowned dystopian literature, and the fact that Polluta's residents are mostly anthropomorphic animals rather than humans invites comparisons to Animal Farm.
A 30-minute animated film that took five years introduces Polluta to visitors.
The exhibition also shows woodcuts. "My woodcut works use the visual language of China's New Woodcut Movement in the 1930s and 40s," Fung said.
Among their depictions are a goggle-wearing winged elephant transporting supplies and Polluta's president, a goat with a large moustache. "I have one character, a fire-breathing dragon, that burns the bodies of Polluta's residents to create fertilizer for farms. It was inspired by Brave New World."
The world of 2084 is depicted through various mediums. Plastic, Plastic, Everywhere!, a storybook with images and text, tells a cautionary tale of a world consumed by plastic-eating lifeforms.
Set against the backdrop of Hong Kong, Fung's works shows the impact urbanization has on the environment. "I returned to Hong Kong from Canada about 10 years ago and was shocked by the difference. I saw MTR and bus ads encouraging people to borrow money just to buy a HK$30,000 purse. It was insane!"
She became aware of the waste she herself was contributing to. "As I spent most of my time working in my studio and ordering bento takeaways, I realized how easy it was to create plastic waste," she said. "This gradually led me to focus more on environmental protection issues and incorporate my personal experiences and feelings into my creations."
One Day in Polluta will be on until tomorrow in Pao Galleries, Hong Kong Arts Center.
