Lukewarm Water, Slow-boiling Pot
wen
溫水慢火
2022
Experimental Film
This is a photo montage sequence narrating the predicament of time and space, drawing an analogy to the proverbial boiling frog. The metaphor suggests that a frog would jump out when the water is boiling, but in lukewarm water, the frog may fail to perceive impending danger or death. Lukewarm water symbolizes our obliviousness to growing threats, portraying the "slow-boiling pot" as a comfort zone that must be left for survival.
In the Chinese conceptualization of the title, water 水 and fire 火, rather than adversaries, mutually support each other, mirroring how time and space are inseparable. Iron fences, flowers, and other elements are not just objects but also metaphors for the broader context of life. This story doesn't depict a specific situation but rather presents a collage of our everyday environment—recycling, reaching out, daydreaming, and persisting in endeavors destined to fail. Phrases like "Never say never" and "Such is life!" echo the uncertainties of existence. The underlying question persists: when should one escape lukewarm water before it's too late?
