Statement2.0
- Seeing myself in a treehole -
According to the Yugoslavian fairy tale "King Donkey Ears", the barber cannot suppress his desire to speak up; he then decides to find a tree hole to tell the king's secret. Gradually, "tree hole" became the symbol for free speech, mysteries and an outlet for people to speak what is unspeakable in real life.
When I first did tree-hole related works three years ago, I used it as an analogy for describing what a restriction on free speech is. I tried to depict the world's taboos as insides of the tree holes and all of these outsides as a cover, presenting an idea that is both containing and liberating.
Now I want my work to reflect social phenomena, relationships, public and private matters- something that happens in our daily lives but is always overlooked as speak and sharing secrets hold certain danger. But, this offered me an opportunity to collect authentic stories and secrets from different people willingly, allowing them to speak up about the hidden matters, good or bad.
Secrecy have great power - sometimes constructive but also destructive.
After processing them, It interest me that how contrasting these secrets are. That some showing the exact opposite image that the secret owner presents in reality, about venting depression and even suicidal thoughts; others are about expressing regrets for missing out on the things that could have done or lost.
From a psychological standpoint, we human have the inherent needs to speak out, to share our thoughts one way or another. Many are less fortunated to have someone to share with, some may be ashamed of the things they hide. But nevertheless it is always a healthy and healing process to let those things out. After all, you can’t go too far with too much on your back.
In collecting secrets, I have no doubts about the authenticity of the secrets they tell me. When I interviewed these people, they were willing to tell me their secrets. At this point, I am listening as a tree hole, and this person is also satisfied their desires to be told. We have, in a way, made a temporary contract - we are never present in each other's lives anymore after this, and they are less burdened when they share me the secret knowing it will be safe..
I think the phenomena and psychological Implications behind tree holes & secrets deserve more attention. Tree holes are inherently dark and damp,lures you to dig further in, and you never know what’s inside. To both story teller and story listener, creating the tree hole and collecting the secrets from the tell who have the urge to let it out, and tthese listeners who discoverers are also sharing the process of healing by just listening.