Morality

Inspired by Theodor Adorno's quote, "it is part of morality not to be at home in one’s home," my artwork "Morality" questions whether it's truly moral to feel at home after migrating. Adorno's reflections in Minima Moralia critique how capitalism and industrialism have dehumanized individuals, relating to my experiences of self-censorship and the challenge of embracing diversity.

Adorno, writing in exile during WWII, posits that true emancipation lies in reconciling differences rather than creating a unitary state. This idea resonates with the migrant experience of not fully fitting into either their old or new homes, and the complex emotions this brings.

In "Morality," I use sharp wires to spell out Adorno’s quote as a question on a large-scale mirror. From a distance, the wires appear shiny and beautiful, but up close, they reveal their potential to cut, symbolizing the pain of not feeling at home. The process of working with these materials mirrored my own struggles with migration—painful, repetitive, and labor-intensive.

The mirror in the piece forces viewers to confront their reflections and the harsh reality of the words, representing the migrant’s challenge of wanting to belong yet feeling out of place. The materials came from a previous project, "Your Reflection in My Life," where I collected wire fragments from perforated mesh. These fragments, accidentally forming a heart shape, inspired the script-like arrangement of the wires on the mirror.

This piece compels viewers to consider the ethical question of belonging. The mirror only reflects their surroundings from a distance, while up close, the sharpness of the wires dominates. This symbolizes how society chooses to engage with or avoid the painful experiences of migrants. My use of English text, my post-migration language, challenges both myself and the audience to reflect on belonging, memory, and change.

"Morality" serves as a site of change, inviting both self-reflection and empathy from the viewers, questioning what truly makes a place feel like home.