All photos were shot on black and white film on various film stocks during the Lunar New Year in 2025. For such a jovial season, I found myself noticing the bland expressions of those who were participating in the motions of the festive holiday, and not necessarily the emotional investment the traditions require.

Perhaps I was projecting my own feeling of the Lunar New Year celebrations on to these images. Earlier that week, I also called the many expected mechanisms and obligations and expectations of the festival as a “Placebo.” Historically a very effective medication. An individual who ambitiously and happily participates will project that happiness and ambitiousness onto other aspects of their lives. However, like a placebo, after being revealed as a placebo, it loses all power. It eventually leads me to the presumptuous cliche of a conclusion, ignorance is bliss.