Chinese ‘light painter’ takes artistic inspiration from virus
Beijing: A Chinese artist has paid tribute to doctors and nurses and their months-long battle to treat virus-stricken patients in his latest light painting creations. Roy Wang and his team used the photographic technique of light painting to “draw” white wings on the back of a model posing in a white hazmat suit, the protective gear that has come to symbolise medical workers fighting the virus worldwide. The model stood frozen as the camera shutter was opened, with Wang darting around her in the dark, using an electric light held aloft to draw in the air. “The medical workers, in Chinese we call them ‘the angels in white’ — they are saving the human, saving us,” he told AFP. “So I feel like I should create some light paintings to show respect for them.” Since the virus first emerged late last year, at least 34 medical workers have died in China, according to official figures. Wang also created a visual depiction of the virus, which has killed more than 40,000 around the world, using a neon green light. As the coronavirus has developed into a global pandemic, Wang’s next project is called “Light the world up”, in which he collects the most inspiring words from his friends overseas and tries to light paint them in different languages. “This is not just a problem of China, but a problem of the whole world,” he said. “We will get through the hard times, and the Earth will become better and better.” (AFP)
Pandemic pranks off the table on April Fools’ Day
Taipei: It may be the global day for pranks but with the world under assault from the deadly coronavirus pandemic many governments on Wednesday were warning against virus-themed April Fools’ jokes — some even threatening jail.
The April 1 tradition sees families, web users and corporations embrace practical jokes. But few are in the mood as the global death toll mounts and billions remain under some form of lockdown.
One K-pop star who joked on Instagram that he had tested positive faced a backlash at home and abroad. Jaejoong, a member of popular band JYJ — formerly TVXQ — said he had been infected and hospitalised. Worried fans left countless messages wishing him a speedy recovery. But about an hour later, he revealed it was a prank and adding he wanted to “raise awareness”. Many, including his own fans, lambasted the post, calling it inappropriate and not funny. The coronavirus outbreak has already been accompanied by a deluge of online misinformation, making it harder for governments to keep their citizens safe.
Some are now threatening jail for virus pranks. Taiwan, which has been held up as a model for how to tackle an outbreak, warned people who spread false rumours that they faced up to three years in jail and a TW$3 million fine (USD 100,000).
Thailand was taking a similarly hard line, threatening up to five years in jail. “It’s against the law to fake having COVID-19 this April Fools’ Day”, the government said on Twitter.
Google, a company renowned for its elaborate annual stunts, told its employees it would “take the year off from that tradition out of respect for all those fighting the Covid-19 pandemic,” according to an internal email obtained by Business Insider. (AFP)