ONE LOVE — Chou Yi x Jyunc-cih Li

On the day of the interview, Chou Yi held stickers in her hand and placed them on Chun Tsi’s face unevenly, they started dancing to the music. 

They would casually discuss the 8PM drama, people around them might think that they have a restless mind. But at that moment they were simply in their cute little bubble sharing the same vibration.

“I like to create art on my friends and my bodies, and I love making friends with quirky people” - Chou Yi

The strokes of her art exhibit tiny heads and big bodies, filled with pieces of electric colors; created by the artist: Chou Yi.

“Everyone needs a companion, so I hope my art plays a role in your life that makes you happy and less lonely.” - Chou Yi

“I love seeing my art in people’s lives, it feels like they can escape from the reality for a little bit and have a taste of my world.” - Chou Yi

2021-2022 Chou Yi started collaborating with larger venues and art; one of which was with Japan’s biggest department store, Lumine’s window display design. Taiwan‘s Park Lane by CMP, and a Japanese brand, Beams.

Chou Yi: Hello everybody, my name is Chou Yi, I make art that makes people happy. “Happiness is very important!” Last year, I felt even more strongly about making myself happy through my art because I’ve tasted the sweetness of happiness. Being happy is such an important component of life and I’d like to utilize my creativity to generate more happiness in our world.     

In terms of my personality, I think I’m more of a YOLO person. I used to be anxious about the future and overthink all the time. That being said, I’ve allowed my anxiety to rule my body and my mind. Therefore, I decided to learn how to relax, meditate, and practice “life enjoyment”. 

Jyunc-cih Li: My name is Chun Tsi Li, my profession is a feminine graphic designer. In regards to my personality, I have the quality of both dark chocolate and marshmallow, these two qualities are both me.

Chou Yi: Haha! I sent Chun Tsi a friend request on Facebook and she asked me why I did it. I was terrified and said: “Sorry for bothering you!” 

What drew me to Chun Tsi’s works is that she and her works are really adorable. After following each other on Facebook, we started talking and we realized that we have a lot in common. Sometimes we’d go out to grab food and chat, I even participated in her exhibition one time! 

Another funny thing is that we both watch Taiwanese soap opera “Proud of You” and the last trending one called “The Sound of Happiness”.  The soap opera really helped me through some tough times, thanks to Sanlih Entertainment TV.

Jyunc-cih Li: Ever since we got to know each other, we noticed that it’s really easy for us to get along and to chat about everything. One time, we scheduled a business meeting and it turned out to be a girl's talk. We completely threw our project behind our heads. Also, Chou Yi watches “Proud of You”, too. That cracks me up!

Chou Yi: Zhuangzi. I think that Zhuangzi was a very progressive artist… On a spiritual level, he taught me: “Doing nothing is not a bad thing.” This idea is so different from Confucianism, we always think that resting and taking time to do less give us a guilty feeling; however, there’s no right or wrong. 

Zhuangzi also taught me about “emptiness”; if we always push ourselves to absorb everything, new things will not be attainable. 

Zhuangzi mentioned: “Before honoring your parents and your loved ones, honor yourself first.” I cried when I learned about this because I always put myself last. I started treating myself better and think for myself more, understanding that only that, I have the ability to treat others well. 

I especially love Zhuangzi’s book “The Use of Uselessness”, I highly recommend it.

Jyunc-cih Li: The flow of Love? I think it’s probably from the song “A Flower is Not a Flower” by Ryuichi Sakamoto. This song makes me feel like my heart is being caressed, it makes me feel understood and not alone. In addition, Ryuichi Sakamoto's “KOKO” makes me feel at peace.

Chou Yi: Jyunc-cih Li, you are amazing. Please love yourself and believe in yourself.

Jyunc-cih Li: I look forward to witnessing more people be inspired by your happiness.

Chou Yi: 

1. Kaito, don’t go!!! Please!!! - “Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch”

2. Don’t say you love me, just hold me tight. - “Comic”

3. I won’t die because I like you!! - ”SayYes”

4. Kurosaki Ichiro, I ’wuv’ you, Kurosaki YiYi will always love you. - “Proud of You”

Jyunc-cih Li:

“I Love U 3000” - The Avengers: Endgame

“I like to feel his eyes on me when I look away.” - Before Sunrise 

Chou Yi: My favorite and the most honored creation was being the first Taiwanese artist to collaborate with Japan’s biggest fashion department store Lumine working on their window designs; in Tokyo and Osaka, etc. In the same year, I worked on a graffiti art as big as three stories tall and a co-branded T-Shirt with NIKE in Ximen. 

Oh! I also worked on Waa Wei’s concert visual, did anyone go? I was so stoked seeing my own art being presented at a concert, it was vigorating.

Jyunc-cih Li: I want to share about a meaningful program I created before. In 2018, I established the brand Ladybug, and put aside my graphic design frame and jumped into the issues about feminism. I planned an exhibition called <Eyes on Her: Girls Graphic> in 2019; and planned an online forum called <Ladybug Online Desktop> in 2021. It's a platform for female visual design and for people to collect information and online exhibitions.

Chou Yi: I am a sneakerhead, never worn heels. When I first saw the style and the material used, I thought they would be very girly, but they had exceeded my expectations. They were so soft and my feet were comfortable. Most importantly, they go with many styles. I can already imagine myself putting other outfits on matching this pair of shoes.

Jyunc-cih Li: They are really comfortable and soft, I feel like my feet are being treated right.

Chou Yi: Not at all, I like it! Hahaha! 

There could’ve been more physical contact, more more more… 

Jyunc-cih Li: I’d put on a stiff lip even if I was shy. Physical contacts kind of make me feel intimidated, almost invasion-like. However, sometimes I enjoy it, but I have a conflicted response to my experience.

Chou Yi: There are a few types of pure love, just like the type of uncomplicated love that we used to have when we were young. 

Love at first sight was such a normal thing for me, I could fall in love with a person without fully knowing about him/her. I’m not even sure if I’ve experienced anything like pure love, but when I feel like I really like somebody, I’d give anything for that person and wouldn’t let that person suffer from anything. 

I even find that person’s tantrum cute, maybe that’s pure love. I’m not totally sure, maybe I’m not romantic enough to be answering this. 

Jyunc-cih Li: Not yet. I look forward to experiencing it.

Chou Yi: I love romantic love songs the most. In fact, when I’m designing, sometimes I need some romantic music. Sometimes designing is just like being in a relationship, I need to spend some time with my art and create love and art that is alive. Art doesn’t lie.

Valentine's Day playlist

1. So-So Heroes/Your name

2. search for your love/Sailor Moon

3. Fei Wang/Dream Lovers

4..Lui Shan/Walk with you

5. Kuo Shu-yau/Honey

6. Strawberry Switchblade/Who Knows What Love is?

7. Chen Xia Yun/cha-cha of love

8. Jackie Mittoo/Oboe

9. Bad brains/I Luv I Jah

10.Rie Tomosaka/Escalation

11. Mishio Ogawa/Four to Three

Jyunc-cih Li: If you are single I recommend unique design — The Crane.

Photographer/ Toby Hsu @presstheshutter99

Texts/ Lin Chin @chih_____lin

周依/ @chouyi

李君慈/ @jyunccihli