The Self-Centred Learning Guide by Jun Wang and Bonnie Wong explores the language of intimacy through their different linguistic backgrounds. Jun, from Tsingtao, speaks Mandarin and reads simplified Chinese, while Bonnie, from Hong Kong, speaks Cantonese and reads traditional Chinese. Despite their shared roots, they struggled to communicate initially. As their relationship grew, they discovered a unique, new form of communication had emerged, rather than just learning each other's languages. This phenomenon reflects how organic vocabularies develop in any relationship.
The guide documents their journey of understanding one another and offers a glimpse into their invented language. Its main purpose is not for readers to fully comprehend this new language but to invite them into the intimate process of their connection and shared experiences.
The Self-Centred Learning Guide was developed during the artists’ participation in the Satellites, Laboratory of Sound and Soul Residency 2021. As an outcome of the residency, the work was exhibited in the group show ʃpraːxə at Galerie Gublia in Essen, Germany.
Digital print, loose-leaf book with 3 posters and 2 books.
