Xinyue Zhang

We are a group under the theme of climate crisis, and ultimately chose the theme of salt for creation. Because salt is a wonderful substance. Its chemical properties are also full of contradictory tension. On the one hand, salt has the efficacy of a preservative, and on the other hand, salt has strong corrosiveness, playing a dual role of erosion and protection. Just like a person. The Gospel of Matthew states: Man is the salt of the earth. However, ironically, the improper use of salt by humans has brought problems to our own living environment, resulting in land salinization. Not only is it detrimental to plant growth and causes great losses in agriculture, but buildings and public equipment in neighboring areas may also have reduced insulation capacity due to salt, which may pose a threat of electrical leakage. After active discussion in our group, we have decided to leverage our respective strengths in artistic creation. The final work will be compiled into a book to warn everyone not to overlook the issue of salt pollution. For my part I combined my background in textile with different yarn materials and knitting techniques to simulate salt crystallization, adding depth and texture to our fabrics, emphasizing the complexity of salt characteristics. Intentionally including broken and incomplete fabrics symbolizes the fragility of our ecosystem and prompts viewers to reflect on their impact on the environment. I hope that through our efforts, we aspire to provide audiences with a space for contemplation, encouraging them to think about salt pollution and its impact on the Earth. In addition, we hope to raise people's awareness of the issue of saline alkali land and urge them to pay more attention to this urgent environmental issue.