Deja Vu

by Yoyo Li

“This piece explores the feeling of nostalgia through the imagined memory of a traditional Chinese water town at night. I was drawn to the quiet intimacy of these spaces—where architecture, water, and light come together to create a sense of stillness and reflection. The glowing lanterns serve as both light sources and emotional anchors, symbolizing warmth, memory, and a connection to cultural roots. Rather than depicting a specific place, I approached the scene as a dreamscape—blurring realism with imagination. The softened edges, dark water, and luminous reflections are meant to evoke the way memories fade and distort over time, becoming more atmospheric than literal. Through this work, I aim to capture a moment that feels suspended between past and present, reality and dream—an environment that is both familiar and intangible.”