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Fissure of a Sweetdream – Jialin Yan
This project follows a group of young romantics who have chosen to escape the intensity of city life for Wanning, Hainan Province, a place known for its surfing culture and natural beauty.
Artist : Jialin Yan
Series : Fissure of a Sweetdream
Drawn by the promise of a simpler, nature-oriented lifestyle, many young people have come here to seek refuge from the pressures of urban existence. During my time in Wanning, I documented both their daily lives and the surrounding landscapes, capturing the parallel reality they constructed as a sanctuary from modern society.
Wanning seems to offer a spiritual refuge, allowing these individuals to disconnect from societal demands and immerse themselves in the “oceanic feeling” Romain Rolland described— a freedom as boundless as the sea. Here, they follow the natural rhythms of the sun, moon, and tides, crafting a lifestyle that leaves a deep imprint on their spirits, like seaweed clinging to their identities. This environment shapes their personalities, seemingly as lasting and organic as dye soaking into cloth.
However, as I continued, I began to notice fissures within this seemingly perfect escape—a subtle fracture in the freedom they had found. It made me question whether such an idealized retreat could truly shield them from the pervasive influence of modern life. My images aim to capture both the beauty and the delicate fragility of this lifestyle, revealing the balance between seeking refuge and the quiet vulnerabilities that accompany any attempt at escape.
© Jialin Yan – All rights reserved
