Artwork Appreciation
YOU Meng-Shu’s Mei Li Bai Bai Series makes use of elements of Taiwan’s traditional folk religions as well as symbols of American pop culture in order to express how American politics and economic culture has influenced Taiwan. Stele-like pedestals are provided with various ritual candleholders with candles designed based on popular cartoon characters in America such as Superman, Mickey Mouse, and Kung Fu Panda. However, their bodies have melted and twisted after serving their function as candles. “Mei Li”, literally translated as the American power, implies the beautiful sugarcoat of the US cultural colonization, while Bai Bai means both respect for the gods and farewell. YOU Meng-Shu uses the concept of candle molding and the deformation of used candles to illustrate the possibilities for the rebirth and reconstruction of regional cultures.