ᴛʀ@ɴsɪᴇɴᴛ ɴ℮xᴜs

“This place may be heaven, or it may be hell.”
“I want to build a psychological clinic or a church, because countless times I've longed for such solace.”
— SanHe God, Sister Hong

From SanHe Gods spending nights at internet cafes to Sister Hong live streaming in the lobby using the fast internet connection. Gentrification continues to shrink the recreational spaces for migrant workers, leaving only a few internet cafes as sanctuaries for them to escape from reality. In this digital realm, online gaming emerges as the gateway for players to transcend mundane cycles of physical toil, liberating them in the ethereal expanse of virtual adventures. Yet, for the female migrant workers, their weary hearts find scant refuge beyond the confines of rented dwellings and crowded dormitories, leaving scarce spaces to cradle and embrace the emotional fatigue that ensues after a day's laborious work.

In Transient Nexus, gentrification weaves a network of diverse internet speeds across regions. Migrant workers seek respite in the sole nearby internet cafe, where a secluded room awaits. Behind an unopenable window and a solitary chair lies a portal for those craving high-speed connectivity beyond gaming. Here, they find solace, their souls intertwined with an ethereal realm. Transient Nexus unveils a tapestry of longing and resilience, inviting contemplation on the interplay between transience and connectivity. Through immersive installations, we celebrate the beauty of fleeting connections and the profound solace found within the confines of this otherworldly chamber.

Supported by Salwa Foundation during Internet Café Art Residency
Photography by Giovanni Salice