The Dance of The Lonely Lion: In Search of Home
This project reimagines the traditional Chinese lion dance to explore the emotional experience of homesickness among international students. Inspired by the designer’s childhood memories of lion dance in Guangzhou and the unexpected feeling of homesickness when seeing it abroad. This work was deeply influenced by the ICOM 2004 resolution: “Cultural heritage is not something dead, frozen, stored away, but rather something living, vital and connected to the identity and spirit of a contemporary people trying to make their way in a complicated world.” The quote shaped the designer’s approach. Not to preserve tradition unchanged, but to engage with it, reinterpret it, and allow it to grow with personal and social meaning in today’s world.
This project transforms the lion from a symbol of celebration into an emotional expression. The handmade costume features soft, crocheted fur and symbolic home elements like the kapok flower. Through participatory workshops, interviews, and a short film, international students were invited to wear the lion costume, dance as a lonely lion, and share their stories. The project becomes a bridge between tradition and contemporary emotions. It offers a space for reflection, connection, and being understanding.