照拂 reflect/brush
2026
Socially-engaged project
Commissioned by Protocinema for exhibition Mulberry Bend
Protocinema at ISS Storefront for Ideas

Over the first four weeks of 照拂 reflect/brush, Liu invited self-identifying caregivers in Manhattan’s Chinatown to receive free haircuts and share their oral histories which touch on the neglected feelings in care taking, immigrant histories, and tools and gestures of caregiving. The collected hair was spun into longer hair strands and made into “cleaning tools” inspired from the conversations with the care givers. 

For two durational performances marking the final phase of 照拂 reflect/brush, Liu activates “cleaning tools” with the learned gestures of caregiving. During the performances, audiences are invited to enter a designated cleaning zone where Liu enacts the tools through brushing, caressing, and grooming gestures learned from participants. As recorded oral histories play softly in the background, the activation of the tools leaves traces of both the participants and their caregiving, revealing the often invisiblized reproductive duties alongside societal and familial expectations to sustain the conditions for everyday life. Visitors are invited to participate as they wish.

Please contact Sidian to watch the full performance documentation video. 

照拂 reflect/brush
2026
社会性参与项目
由Protocinema委托，为展览《桑树弯》制作
Protocinema（地点在华侨社会福利社运营的创想店铺）

在《照拂 reflect/brush》项目的前四周，思典居住或工作于曼哈顿华埠、自我认同为照护者的人提供免费的理发，并在理发的同时对他们进行采访，邀请他们分享照护过程中常被忽视的感受、移民经历，以及照护工作中使用的工具与动作。理发后，思典将收集到的头发纺成较长的发束，并根据与照护者的交流内容，将头发制作成与照护工作相关的“清洁工具”。

在《照拂 reflect/brush》项目的最后阶段，思典进行了两场持续性表演，用行为激活这些“清洁工具”。在表演中，观众被邀请进入一个特定的“清洁区域”，思典运用从参与者身上学习而来的梳理、抚触与护理动作，与这些工具互动。当参与者的口述历史在空间中轻声播放时，这场表演将照护者及其劳动的痕迹带回现场，揭示那些维系日常生活运转所需、却常常被忽视的再生产劳动，以及社会对个人所施加的照护的期待。

如需观看完整表演录像，请联系思典。