Joyce Shi’s (re)existence delves into the intimate relationship between objects and human existence

(re)existence, a self-initiated publication by designer and art director Joyce Shi, revisits her 2021 project ‘Objects, Memories, Death, Us,’ and takes an editorial approach to examining how everyday items shape our sense of self. From ID cards and postcards to medication prescriptions and concert tickets, Shi curates a collection that creates a portrait of personhood through the mundane yet meaningful. The initial project, she explains, explores the notion of self-identity at the intersection of individuality, collective culture, and death as a symbolic gesture. “A series of outcomes were created,” she tells us, “including self-publication (‘Things that were once familiar and beloved appear to be strange’), book-making (‘old time legacy’), creative coding (‘flash back’), installation (‘ami’), writing, photography, etc. The project also turned into an in-depth and continuous dialogue between me (my works) and my audience – a lot of my audience got back with their very genuine response of how they view themselves as human beings, their mental struggles of trying to make sense of who they are/should be, and so much more.” The designer’s interest in ephemera stems from her graphic designer’s eye for paper and prints, coupled with a natural inclination for cataloguing. Many of these items were collected during her time in New York, where she had relocated for her studies. The collection represents more than just physical mementoes; each item serves as a tangible marker of her journey and transformation in a new environment, witnessing a new period of her life as a person, as well as her career as a designer.