Waking Dreamland

Waking Dreamland explores the liminal space between fantasy and reality through photographs and videos of Coney Island. Throughout its extensive history, Coney Island has served as a platform for self-expression and entertainment, where individuals considered ‘freaks’ find solace. ‘Anything goes’ is the theme of Coney Island. Within this freedom lies an alternate universe where dreamscapes emerge as the rules of society don’t apply. The carnival rides that turn laughter into screams, the beach dotted with shards of glass, the boardwalk with inebriated dance circles, and circus sideshows that defy the laws of nature all converge to create a surreal tableau.

The reality of an underserved community and the fantasy of an amusement park are both explored in Waking Dreamland, yet the primary emphasis of this work lies in the interstitial space that emerges as the boundary between fantasy and reality gets blurred. This indistinct threshold evokes a distinct mood, evocatively described as dystopian or hypnotic, beckoning psychological revelations. Photographs encapsulate this ambiance, capturing the vacant gaze of a clown, an empty carnival ride, and the tattoos that narrate personal life stories. In the accompanying video, an aerial acrobat incessantly spins to the tune of an obsession-themed song, transporting viewers into a psychological vortex.

Just as dreams encapsulate our desires and nightmares, the Ferris wheel promises to take us higher while a sword swallower’s grin evokes horrifying imagery glimpsed behind closed eyes. The harsh reality of an abandoned pier on a stormy day and the performers’ raw appearances backstage serve as a poignant reminder of Coney Island's socioeconomic conditions.

The magical realism experienced in Coney Island cannot be replicated elsewhere. Coney Island stands as a true cultural gem, but beyond that, it resonates with our psyche in an indescribable manner—something that can only be felt. As I endeavored to capture this elusive essence, aided by the mesmerizing lights and sounds, I fell deeper and deeper into a state of dream logic while striving to keep one foot moored in reality.