David Chen - Swimming — School of Visual Art and Design at the University of South Carolina

David Chen
Swimming

BFA Photography Junior

Growing up, I did not enjoy going to the pool or the beach for the simple reason that I did not know how to swim. I was also afraid of being drowned. But, the few times I did go, I had to use floaties.

I remember this one time, my cousin and my siblings went to a water amusement park. I was just floating, all the sudden I felt this change in pressure as the light began to dim. I knew I was stinking, but I wasn’t drowning. My cousin had submerged me. That moment I wasn’t afraid, I felt tranquility mixed with excitement.

Ever since, I enjoy relaxing in a pool or on a beach, especially on long and tough days like the days we are in right now, quarantine. For the past month, I, along with many of you, have been staying inside, and have experienced some sense of boredom. During this time, I have spent every sunny day outside in my pool. I feel a sense of calm from being in the water. The silence, or maybe the disconnection from reality makes me feel calm.

In this series of photography and mini time lapse, I hope to translate this sense of calm. Sharing this feeling in my photography to my audience is a way to invite them into the underwater world for this experience.