photo poster project | Where Film and Poetry Intersect: Passing on Stories by V C Design | ISSUE #215

The photo poster project is an exhibition of photo posters organized by cizucu, held in cities around the world, where you can participate simply by choosing a city and date.

What we call the ppp is more than just a photography exhibition. It is a community where anyone can safely share their stories, and a unique opportunity to connect with creators from across the globe in real life.

This time, we spoke with the creator V C Design, who participated in the photo poster project.

I am a multidisciplinary artist, currently working freelance under the name "VC Design."
The sole reason I continue to create with passion is to "tell stories." My practice spans a wide range of media, from traditional to digital, including pen drawing, oil painting, watercolor, installation, and sculpture. In recent years, I have also developed a keen interest in 3D animation. I am always drawn to experimental challenges.

For me, film (底片) serves as a "bridge" between digital and analog. It is a tangible material you can handle, yet digital post-processing allows for expanded expression.
If film "colors the emotions of a moment," then poetry is like a "radio that records time." As I journey through film, I feel the sparks that arise from the intersection of poetry and personal memory.

The "warmth" inherent in film is something digital cannot replace. The light is raw and natural, making it the perfect companion for poetry. Right now, I want to carve out a new path for storytelling at the intersection of poetry and film, exploring their synesthetic resonance.

It all started when my supervisor told me about the project. The moment I learned about it, I was genuinely delighted.
At the time, I was preparing a body of work that connected film photography with new poetry, and I was eager to see how audiences would respond. The photo poster project gave me a spontaneous reason to travel near my familiar hometown.

During my student days, I participated in several group exhibitions and became intimately familiar with the challenges of exhibiting. Previously, I worked on large-scale installation pieces (Social Visual Gazing), with some works weighing over 300kg and production costs that were astonishingly high.
Because of that experience, I have come to realize that photography is "the lightest, most accessible, and most empathetic form of storytelling."

Learning that I could exhibit my work for a fixed, reasonable fee removed a major barrier for me—especially for those who want to share their stories but don't know where to start.
That's why I immediately secured my spot without hesitation.

On the day of the exhibition, I was the first creator to arrive at the gallery. I felt both excitement and a bit of nervousness... (laughs)

However, after I presented my "film and poetry" work aloud, someone who was interested came over and asked to hear more about the background of my artwork. That moment was incredibly heartwarming and truly meaningful to me.

I believe that having an emotionally steady MC (host) is essential in these settings. They maintain the atmosphere and offer emotional support when needed. Thanks to this, I felt that my anxieties about sharing poetry were genuinely understood and embraced by the cizucu team.

This exhibition reminded me of a time when "galleries dotted the city and creative works breathed on every corner." I felt that the photo poster project is realizing that vision in a contemporary form.

Seeing on social media that exhibitions were happening simultaneously in places like Korea, Thailand, and the UK, I almost felt as if I had become an international creator.

What was even more remarkable was the energy in the gallery—regardless of experience, everyone was eager to learn about each other's perspectives and ideas. Some visitors asked how I draw inspiration from other media and forms of expression, which prompted me to redefine my own art. It was a wonderful experience, filled with meaningful encounters.

This experience also sowed the seeds for my next photography project, "拾夢者." Combining poetry and photography, I now have a clearer sense of what themes, lighting, and details are needed. I plan to travel to Tibet later this year, and I hope to share stories from that "journey of self-cultivation" through the photo poster project as well.

I drew several fortune cards and, based on the results, decided to embark on a "journey through the alleys."

Then, an unexpected scene appeared before me, and before I knew it, I pressed the shutter.

When I saw this photograph, I felt both "solitude" and "warmth" at the same time. The quiet presence of the elderly woman seemed to overlap with this chair. Simply by being there, it offered a sense of comfort.

To put it in the words of a poem:
阿婆椅像個孩子似，依舊望向街巷等待著，那盞檯燈沒了電，也在三更守夜著。
(Grandmother's chair is like a child, still gazing down the alley waiting, the desk lamp out of power, yet keeping vigil late into the night.)

If you're interested in film photography but hesitate to participate because you worry you might not be skilled enough, I encourage you to see this as a "personal milestone."

Take a weekend, stroll through the city, and shoot. Whether with a close friend, a partner, or even on a solo date, it becomes time that gives you a reason to breathe amid busy days.

Even though I was busy applying to graduate schools abroad, I managed to make time. Even if it's just half a day, by talking and connecting with others at the gallery, you'll discover local street photography communities and find plenty of information about fellow photographers.

The cizucu team makes exhibiting simple and brings exhibitions into everyday life. They bring together those who want to tell stories and those who want to listen, all in the same space.

If you're feeling unsure, I recommend first attending as a visitor to soak in the atmosphere. From there, you might make new photography friends, stroll through the city together, or join the next exhibition... I'm sure a fascinating journey will begin.