This exhibition “Transportation Aesthetics” showcases over 300 works by the artist Ha Mai, covering three main series: “Guidelines for Non-motorized Vehicle Cargo Transportation”, “Sisyphus”, and “Handbook of Aesthetics for Non-motorized Vehicles”. The first part of the exhibition hall consists of a photo installation of 266 images from “Guidelines for Non-motorized Vehicle Cargo Transportation” and a image installation named “Handbook of Aesthetics for Non-motorized Vehicles”. These typology works of “Cargo Guidelines” depict exaggerated scenes of electric bike cargo transportation on Chengdu streets. The images in the “Aesthetics Handbook” are exaggerated and vivid ready-made images of electric bikes collected from the internet. The second part of the exhibition hall features street photography works captured by Ha Mai using a flashlight at the “Mozi Bridge” intersection.
Starting with non-motorized electric bikes, Ha Mai roams the streets of Chengdu to capture the simple urban life and everyday folk scenes. His works attempt to present a vitality of pragmatism. These photographs, full of intense colors and dark humor, break through the mundane reality, portraying a series of street dramas containing tremendous energy.
Perhaps “non-motorized” here represents not just electric bikes, but more of a pragmatic attitude towards life or a spontaneously formed aesthetic. They negate the “motorized”decency and reserve, constituting a charming street life atmosphere.
Text/ Li Zijian
ARTIST STATEMENT
Electric bikes are called electric horses in Chengdu. They are everywhere because they are convenient, do not require a driver's license, do not get stuck in traffic, and are the preferred mode of transportation for express delivery, hauling goods, food delivery, running errands, and short distance commuting. Except for the cold winter ride, everything else seems to be an advantage.
I also ride an electric bike because it's the kind I ride every day for long-term commuting. I can responsibly say that when riding a bike, people’s minds are generally empty. It's unlikely to think about things, just look at the road, gas gate, pinch the brakes, wait for red lights.
If we classify the vehicles on the road according to the degree of eye catching, electric scooters are definitely flashy. Because unlike cars, the people and goods on electric scooters are exposed, so there are various combinations. If you pay attention at a certain intersection, the electric horses passing by are like a runway show, with good performances taking turns, portraying various flavors and life situations.
Moziqiao is a place name in Chengdu, or more accurately, a crossroads. I ride my bike ten kilometers to work near here every working day, and these days have flown by for many years. Various types of electric scooters always come and go at intersections. Over the past few years, whenever I have free time, I have been circling around here, holding up my camera to take pictures of them, which has led to the creation of the series “Mozi Bridge”.
Due to cost constraints, electric bicycles generally do not have ABS anti lock braking systems, and tires are prone to slipping on rainy days. The first electric scooter I took at Moziqiao was a traffic accident. That day was the evening rush hour after work, with wet ground accompanied by light rain. In the crowded and noisy flow of non motorized vehicles, traffic police in fluorescent green uniforms separated a small area. I approached and saw a slightly overweight woman lying flat next to a fallen electric scooter. Judging from the degree to which she was soaked by the rain, she had been lying down for some time. I don't know if the responsibility for the accident was not agreed upon, or if the person was really injured and unable to move, lying down in a comfortable position. I quickly took a photo and walked away.
Most of the time, I choose my subjects from the crowd waiting at red lights at intersections, and without hesitation, record every electric scooter that comes and goes. I usually pay attention to the people in the car, the goods they carry, and some traces of use and modification on the body of the car. These elements are all unique aspects of every electric scooter.
For example, once I met a big brother who was wearing a black helmet, a yellow coat, and a completely black lower body. The car body is also yellow and black, and the windproof cotton quilt in front of the bike is also yellow and black. The most crucial thing is that there is a Meituan takeaway insulated box at the foot pedal. It can be seen that big brother is very particular about color matching.
Speaking of color matching, there is also a senior brother wearing a reflective strip on his clothes, and the car is also covered with colorful reflective strips. With the help of my flash, the whole photo shines brightly. I think the underlying color behind this is a sense of optimism and confidence.
The shell material of an electric scooter is usually plastic, and the seat cushion is usually made of artificial PU. It is inevitable that it will be damaged due to wind, sun, and bumps during use. The most common and low-cost repair method is usually to wrap it with transparent tape, tie it up like a bandage, and continue to join the battle like a wounded soldier. This kind of 'private customization' always makes me feel secure and at ease.
Once when I took a picture of a car like this, the owner carefully asked me if I wanted to take it and then fine him. I said, "Forget it this time, you can go." Haha, I found that I like these traces and small modifications.
When it comes to minor modifications to electric scooters, the most thorough ones are some directional welding modifications to the frame. For example, electric scooters that transport bottled water usually have frame structures circled by iron bars welded on both sides of the rear seat of the vehicle. Place four to six buckets of water on one side, stack them on top of each other, and finally secure them with zip ties. At most, one trip can load fourteen buckets of water, and if the buckets are empty and properly tied, seventeen buckets are not a problem. Sometimes watching these electric scooters, which can hold more goods than cars, pass by in front of you, one can suddenly feel some surreal feelings, which is really wonderful.
When asked why I need to shoot these electric scooters, I can't answer. Perhaps these photos reflect a corner of people's lives today. It is also possible that this is just a Sisyphean futility, dissolving oneself who circles around the intersection day after day.
It has always been a regret for me that I am unable to capture those speeding electric cars. To address this issue, in 2023, I started using my phone to capture images of cargo objects that were out of reach on flat roads while cycling, which led to the creation of the "Non motorized Vehicle Cargo Guide".
In 2024, influenced by the video works of self media Shenlong Snickers, I felt the strong vitality behind the rough images in the videos. After collecting many ready-made images of electric bicycles, I began to work on producing the "Non motorized Vehicle Aesthetics Handbook".
Text/ Ha Mai