Feelings of Life

Hansen Chim

A high-contrast photograph of a room, illuminated by harsh sunlight from the right that projects venetian blind patterns onto a light-colored wall. Three vivid, framed artworks, possibly figurative, in shades of red, yellow, and green are arranged vertically, crisscrossed by the shadows. A dark floor lamp is visible at the bottom right. The left side of the room is shrouded in deep shadow, revealing an angled wall, a large, dark framed print, and a quilted furniture piece.

Feelings of Life (生活的感受) is a photographic project focusing on the feelings of in-between moments in everyday life. It centres on the subtle intervals and transitional states that often go unnoticed over time. The project considers how the present is not always defined by action but is quietly felt through fleeting experiences.

The Chinese word for life (生活) consists of two characters: '生' means ‘being alive’; '活' refers to ‘going through life’. Guided by this dual meaning, the project stages scenes shaped by the subtle build up of overlooked moments. It also attends to ways of living that remain unresolved and ongoing.

Through staged photography and the cinematic technique of mise-en-scène, the project blurs the line between constructed and lived experience. Although constructed, these scenes are rooted in personal experience and observation. They also draw on personal values and ways of seeing that shape how I attend to daily life. Across these works, ordinary environments are gently transformed to evoke stillness. The figures in each frame act as fragments of a dispersed self.

About The Artist

A full-body self-portrait captured in a reflective surface, showing a person standing on a light gray asphalt street. They wear a white short-sleeved polo shirt, dark pants, and a dark baseball cap, holding a black camera to their face, which obscures their features. A black camera strap is visible around their neck. The background features blurry, muted urban details including dark building facades and a lighter wall. A yellow street line and a dark stripe are visible on the road in the foreground. The image has a grainy, film-like texture.

Hansen Chim

Hansen Chim is a Canadian content creator specialising in photography, videography, and self-directed short films. Born and raised in Hong Kong, his work is influenced by cross-cultural perspectives and a keen interest in spatial composition, atmosphere, and cinematic framing.

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