Appreciating art in electronic pieces at HQB

Lin Xi, a young artist engaged in electronic disassembly art, is exhibiting her works at a new exhibition at the HQB Museum. She tears apart used electronic products, such as phones, tablets, game consoles and computers, and presents the components in an artistic way.

Lin Xi's electronic assembly art piece made from a Motorola 8900X phone in 1995. Photos from the museum's official WeChat account

Lin gained her popularity on the short-video platform Douyin. Through her videos, many people realized, for the first time, that idle, but classic, electronic products can be framed like art. Electronic disassembly is an intricate work process that needs both a delicate touch and aesthetic sensibility.

When customers send their old electronic products to Lin, she would check the condition of the items and communicate with her customers to learn the stories behind each one and the type of presentation they prefer. Then comes the disassembly. The components, after being carefully cleaned, are laid out on a piece of paper in the desired order. The final step is to use graphics software to draw and print a base plate based on that layout and affix the components to it.

Lin's electronic assembly art piece made from a vivo X Fold 2 mobile phone in 2023.

“I feel a lot of trust when people send me the items of their loved ones. I’m glad that I can help them present a cherished memory, once hidden in their mind, in this way,” she said in an interview.

A major in Turkish and international journalism from Beijing Foreign Studies University and social media and society from University of Westminster, Lin also dissembles old watches, tools and accessories. “After being reassembled, the once dust-laden items become exhibition pieces that remind the owners of their childhood experiences, a period of hard work or a deep-rooted memory,” she said.

Lin Xi

Dates: Through Oct. 18

Booking: WeChat account “HQB_Museum”

Venue: HQB Museum, Futian District (华强北博物馆)

Metro: Line 2 or 7 to Huaqiang North Station (华强北站), Exit A