“Equivocal” is a series of video recordings of unmutual conversations in two languages. In front of a camera, two people have a conversation in two different languages. One person speaks in a language that the other person cannot understand. And also the other person speaks in a language that the person cannot understand. The conversation is translated during the editing process, allowing viewers to see how the unmutual speaking and listening form the ‘conversation’.
This project emphasizes human-to-human interaction. It seeks mutual understanding between people from diverse linguistic, cultural backgrounds, or geographical origins, exploring the possibilities of interaction that transcend language. It also anticipates a therapeutic effect in expressing one’s feelings and thoughts without the burden of immediate judgment. Furthermore, it seeks to uncover the diverse ways in which people interact as they strive to understand one another, even in situations where there are no clues to comprehend verbal communication.
Equivocal with Simón
31min 04sec, (2024)
collaborated with Simón de Greiff
filmed on the 21st of June 2024,
field near Engi, Ísafjörður, Iceland.
Equivocal with Irene
24min 54sec, (2025)
collaborated with Irene Reiserer
filmed on the 17th of November 2024,
at Nordingrå Konstby, Vännersta, Sweden.
Equivocal with Michael
Coming soon
collaborated with Michael Weidner
Making process & pre-practices
Posted ads on public boards
Test run 1: Anekka & Eunsoo
A:This summer, what do you want to do? How do you want to plan our vacation?
E:Didn’t we decide to go to the Netherlands this summer? We’ve got to go to the Netherlands. And Italy, we should go to Italy.
A:Ah, I don’t know… yes, maybe Italy. But I don’t know if I want to go to the Netherlands.
E:We could also go to Mexico.
A:I thought that… …if I go to that conference in Italy, I thought I would bring my parents to Switzerland. And then we go there too and then we don’t have to go to the Netherlands.
E:If we go to the Netherlands… Can I see the house your parents’ bought?
[???]
I mean, if we go to the Netherlands, can I see the new house?
A:I can only go to the Netherlands for 30 days…?
E:Or are we going to go to that old house in Heinkenszand? Or… to the new house?
A:The new house… …ehm… …they’ll move to the new house in December. So it’s not possible yet.
E:It should be in December, we can go (to the new house) in December, right?
A:Yes, but perhaps I should say farewell to the old house… But maybe that’s not necessary…
E:I guess you should go to the old house and pack up your things. You said your parents wouldn’t take care of your stuff.
A:I think I’d find it more comfortable to not see the old house again because otherwise, I’ll be unnecessarily sad or something. Emotional.
E:But we cannot, not go there at all, right? We should go and see 000? Or Switzerland… Is it possible to meet her in Switzerland and not go to the Netherlands at all? Or maybe we could stay… in Maaike’s place?
A:But I thought that Maaike could also come to Switzerland. Then we’ll just go there together.
E:Where did you say we were going to in Switzerland?
A:Lausanne
(…)
Test run 2: Singer & Swen
Filmed during Car Artist Village project by Lin Yu Sheng
Si: …can you start something in your language?
Sw:Si. Yes.
Sí, sí. Si vols, parlem en català a partir d ‘ara. La veritat és que no sé de què va la cosa, però parlem en català, sí. No em pensi que ara t ‘ho aconsegueixi. Aquí heu vist les poques, oi? M ‘he mudat, t ‘ho aconsegueixi.
Yes, yes. If you want, we can speak in Catalan from now on. The truth is that I don’t know what it’s about, but we can speak in Catalan, yes. Don’t think I’ll get it for you now. You’ve seen the few here, right? I’ve moved, I’ll get it for you.
Si: (엄청 자연스러워) You’re so natural
SW: Si, Si.. Yes, Yes…
(…)
singerjung 