Idle Pigeon

The creation of “Idle Pigeon” stems from a simple feeling I know well, that quiet, creeping exhaustion that builds up in daily life. Moving from city to city, from Taiwan to Chicago, I’ve become increasingly aware of how easily people can be swallowed up by the numbing spaces of mundane tasks, work, and emotions.

In this piece, I chose pigeons, which are the most common creatures in this city, to carry this sentiment. The ice cream truck is not merely part of the scene; for me, it represents a source of fleeting joy and a small yet essential moment that injects a splash of color into an already weary routine.

To convey this emotional atmosphere, I worked with hand-drawn puppet animation and a handmade background. The ice cream truck was made from nonwoven fabric, while the cityscape and environment were built from discarded textiles. These materials allowed me to create a world that feels handmade and textured with tired and lived-in.

My aim is not to tell some grand narrative; it's to amplify a feeling I deeply cherish. Sometimes what saves us isn't some earth-shattering event, but a tiny spark of joy that reminds us life can still be vibrant. Throughout this work, I hope to use color and playful visual language to imbue easily overlooked things with emotional weight, allowing this vibrancy to spread from an individual's life into the city around them.