TRACES OF INVISIBILITIES by Xi Li

Traces of Invisibilities is a photographic series that documents traces of lived-in moments in scenes with their contextual surroundings without people. My aim is to examine how perception is colored by conventionality, contradiction, and the mundane within the existence of these objects. I examined multiple kinds of narratives photographed in common environments while others are seemingly tacit moments occurring from a distant perspective without narrative.

I often find myself immersed in such an environment, one where every object in a setting rests without the presence of people. Yet, there are traces of tangible and intangible evidence, both of which sparked my interest, that are left behind and unfold in this photographic series. People and their intents shape the spaces they dominate, and yet, when they are absent, I am still able to envision the interactions between people and their tools, objects, and so forth. I gravitate towards the intangible moments appearing in front of me, regardless of if a clear narrative is immediately present. In this work, each set is as an impromptu study - one where I could indulge myself in endless questioning about the invisibilities that flow within images. “What practice takes place in such a space?” “How do the invisible, intangible moments and tangible, visible space and objects interact and form with each other over time?” I could not prevent myself from pondering -- guessing what lies in the past and what would be the imminent future of each scene. Upon closer examination, the invisible can become traceable. I, as the viewer, can imagine and collect mental snapshots of the activities that happened minutes ago, days ago, weeks later, or even years after. After this analysis, even if I do not have the exact answers to my questions, I’m deeply convinced that these lived moments unfold slowly over time, how they have simultaneously occurring narratives, and are inclined to elapse and intertwine.