Yang Yi

In the face of China’s permanent destruction and disappearance, Yang Yi examines the loss of identity and preservation of memories through his "Uprooted" series. Born in a small town by the Yangtze River, the artist foreshadows how the dam will eventually inundate everything in its path silencing it into a destitute ruin. Human life ceases to exist in this submerged, quiet town and will inevitably be forgotten. Inspired by his dreams, these works capture the essence of his nearly disappearing childhood, recording the last bits of his memories. Photographing the last few inhabitants of the city, he conceptually submerges them in water in their normal, daily settings, a hopeful sign that these memories will linger on.