A Good Habit (2019)

         Interdental cleaning and tooth brushing are the primary means of cleaning teeth, one of the main aspects of oral hygiene.

    A Good Habit documents the process of me brushing my teeth with ink for 10 days, attempting to develop “A Good Habit”. 

    In this behavioral experiment, the abnormal behavior of brushing teeth with ink touches on the discourse of power-knowledge, discipline and civilization. As one of the key mediums in the evolution of civilization, ink is a significant symbol of power-knowledge. While at the same time, it is also one of the most stubborn stains in everyday life. Substituting for toothpaste, ink empowers the teeth with knowledge, which ironically subverts the mythical image of white, clean healthy teeth. While striving for the voice of mouth, ink tooth brushing presents a provocative posture that confronts with the modern hygiene discourse.

    However, following into the daily repetitive routine, will the intended subversion behind ink tooth brushing be fully addressed? Or will it fall into a new habit, or even aphasias? 

“刷牙是保持口腔清洁的重要自我口腔保健方法”。

       影像作品《一个好习惯》纪录了艺术家在10天的时间内试图养成“一个好习惯”的过程——持续使用墨水刷牙，并用色卡度量牙齿变黑的程度。

       在这次“习惯养成” 的试验中，艺术家试图通过用墨水刷牙这一反日常行为来介入现代社会中规训与文明、知识与权力的关系问题。

       作为人类文明得以传播延续的关键介质，墨水是知识话语权力的重要象征。同时，它又是日常生活中最难清除的污渍之一。用墨水取代牙膏，以知识加固牙齿，无疑打破了牙齿务必清洁亮白的健康神话。在为口腔争夺话语权的同时，墨水刷牙呈现出与现代卫生制度针锋相对的挑衅姿态。

       然而，在每日例行的重复操作中，墨水刷牙的蓄意反抗能否真正生效？它是否会逐渐走向庸常，陷入失语亦或新的惯习？