Unleash Your Inner Monster: A Voidpunk Identity Workshop Guide
Welcome, Voidpunks, to a journey of radical self-creation and profound empowerment!
This workshop is a pivotal stage in my long-term photography project, We Are the Things Monsters Love – part documentary, part speculative fiction – which I developed during my Director's Fellowship at the International Center of Photography in New York. For this transformative experience, I'm honored to be collaborating with Holok Chen, the visionary Voidpunk prophet, who will lead the ideation workshop on July 12, 2025. My role will be to photograph your evolution and document the incredible transmutation of this stage of the project.
Interpretation of Nine Songs by Zhao Mengfu
Our inspiration for this unique exploration springs from the depths of The Songs of the South: An Ancient Chinese Anthology of Poems by Qu Yuan and Other Poets, masterfully translated by David Hawkes and published by Penguin Classics. It's from this rich tapestry of ancient verses, specifically Qu Yuan's seminal poem The Nine Songs (Jiu Ge / 九歌), that we've drawn the powerful deities who will guide our exploration.
This isn't just about dressing up; it's about transmutation. It's about channeling the sacred energy and power from these ancient deities into your very being, igniting fierce self-love and an unshakeable empowerment to exist and thrive in a world that might try to reject you.
When the world tells you you're too queer, too strange—not human enough to exist—we say: IGNITE! By embodying these powerful figures, you will transmute their divine essence, transforming societal rejection into an unparalleled source of strength. This guide is designed to help you prepare before the workshop. It's your visual and conceptual toolkit to start dreaming up your new persona, one that embodies the radical self-acceptance and defiant beauty that define Voidpunk. Get ready to gather your materials, experiment with makeup, and envision the incredible, empowered being you're about to become.
A Note from the Photographer: Bridging Worlds with AI
As a neurodivergent artist with aphantasia – the inability to visualize mental imagery – the path from archival texts to the vibrant, contemporary visions of Voidpunk deities was a unique challenge. My imagination, while rich in concepts, often lacks the visual "eye." This is where AI became an indispensable collaborator, helping me bridge the gap between ancient archive and modern imagination.
After over 100 failed attempts with various Stable Diffusion workflows, I finally discovered the perfect technique: ControlNet Edge Mapping. By using canny edge detection to meticulously extract the ink outlines from traditional scroll images, I was able to give the AI precise instructions, allowing it to interpret and reimagine these deities as modern-day Voidpunks in Hong Kong. The images you see in this guide are the fruits of this intricate process – a fusion of ancient wisdom, personal neurodiversity, and cutting-edge technology.
The Deities Reimagined: Your Source of Transmutative Power
Below, you'll find a breakdown for each deity. For each one, we'll present:
An image representing the traditional or historical depiction of the deity.
An AI-generated image showing how this deity might manifest as a Voidpunk in present-day Hong Kong.
Use these as jumping-off points, but remember: your interpretation is the most powerful. It is through your unique lens that the energy will be transmuted
1. TAI YI (太一 - The God of the Eastern Sky)
Essence: Primordial, boundless, cosmic, the source of all beginnings. Transmutative Power: The power to forge your own origin story, to embrace limitless potential, and to draw strength from the vastness of the unknown.
Makeup: Think cosmic static, shifting nebulae, and deep space.
Colors: Deep blacks, iridescent purples, blues, and greens, with pinpricks of silver or white.
Techniques: Blended, smoky eyes with glitter or reflective pigments. Abstract, asymmetrical patterns on the face or body mimicking constellations or glitching screens. UV-reactive paints for a hidden glow.
Clothes: Fluid, yet structured. Dark, yet shimmering.
Materials: Flowing silks, sheer fabrics, black leather, metallic mesh, reflective materials (e.g., cut-up CDs, reflective tape).
Silhouettes: Draped, asymmetrical cuts. Garments that appear to shift or distort on the body.
Accessories & Jewelry:
Cosmic Detritus: Pieces made from discarded electronics, circuit boards, shattered glass (safely secured), or anything that evokes fragmented technology and cosmic debris.
Celestial Motifs: Star-shaped piercings, rings, or necklaces. Pieces that resemble miniature galaxies or black holes.
2. YUN-ZHONG JUN (雲中君 - The Cloud Goddess)
Essence: Mysterious, ephemeral, elusive, atmospheric, hidden power. Transmutative Power: The power to exist unbound by fixed forms, to flow effortlessly, and to wield the quiet strength of the unseen.
Makeup: Hazy, diffused, and ethereal.
Colors: Soft greys, pale blues, misty whites, translucent pastels.
Techniques: Blended, smudged lines. Highlighting that gives a dewy, almost wet look. Subtle, shifting patterns that mimic cloud formations.
Clothes: Layered, flowing, and indistinct.
Materials: Sheer organza, chiffon, thin knits, distressed lace, translucent plastics.
Silhouettes: Loose, draped, and multi-layered. Garments that seem to float or ripple with movement.
Accessories & Jewelry:
Ephemeral & Found Objects: Charms that tinkle like rain, small, translucent plastic elements, feathers, or anything that suggests lightness and impermanence.
Water & Air Motifs: Droplet-shaped jewelry, pieces that look like condensed vapor.
3. XIANG JUN (湘君 - The Goddess of Spring Sacrifice)
Essence: New beginnings, fertility, vibrant growth, melancholic beauty, longing. Transmutative Power: The power to cultivate fierce beauty from unexpected places, to endlessly renew yourself, and to channel sorrow into vibrant new growth.
Makeup: Lush, vibrant, yet with a hint of sorrow.
Colors: Bright greens, deep blues, earthy browns, pops of vibrant floral colors (fuchsia, electric yellow).
Techniques: Bold, expressive lines. Floral or vine-like patterns. Glitter or iridescent pigments that mimic dew drops.
Clothes: Organic, yet defiantly artificial. A blend of natural and synthetic.
Materials: Distressed natural fabrics, synthetic mesh, plastic sheeting, repurposed artificial flowers, tangled wires.
Silhouettes: Flowing, yet with sharp, unexpected angles. Garments that appear to be growing or blooming.
Accessories & Jewelry:
Reclaimed Nature: Jewelry made from discarded plastic bottles shaped into flowers, circuit board "leaves," or actual dried plants intertwined with wires.
Growth & Decay: Elements that show both vibrant life and and resilient transformation.
4. XIANG FUREN (湘夫人 - The Goddess of Autumn Sacrifice)
Essence: Decay, transformation, profound beauty in ending, acceptance of loss. Transmutative Power: The power to find liberation in letting go, to embrace cycles of change, and to transmute endings into new forms of stark, powerful beauty.
Makeup: Earthy, faded, yet starkly beautiful.
Colors: Deep maroons, burnt oranges, muted browns, charcoal greys, with hints of metallic rust.
Techniques: Smudged, diffused colors. Contouring that emphasizes gauntness or skeletal structures. Cracked or flaking textures.
Clothes: Worn, layered, and decaying.
Materials: Distressed fabrics, patched textiles, shredded lace, aged leather, rough knits.
Silhouettes: Draped, asymmetrical, and seemingly falling apart. Layers that reveal glimpses of what lies beneath.
Accessories & Jewelry:
Skeletal & Fragmented: Jewelry made from bone-like plastics, rusted metal, or shattered ceramic. Pieces that mimic dried leaves or seed pods.
Memento Mori: Small, symbolic items that represent past selves released for future growth.
Image (left) - Xiang River goddesses (Xiang Jun), from Nine Songs section, poem number 3 0f 11, of annotated version of Chu Ci, published under title Li sao, author attribution as Qu Yuan (actual authors of the Nine Songs section unknow
Image (right) - Art by Wan Lei
Image (left) - 傅抱石 湘夫人 1943 纸本设色 48.5 x 48.5cm
5. SI-MING (司命 - The God of Fate)
Essence: Unyielding destiny, powerful, algorithmic, the architect of life spans. Transmutative Power: The power to defy predetermined paths, to rewrite your own narrative, and to carve out a destiny that is truly your own.
Makeup: Sharp, geometric, and precise.
Colors: Stark blacks, whites, silvers, and deep metallic tones (gunmetal, copper).
Techniques: Hard lines, sharp angles, binary code patterns. Contouring that creates an almost robotic or crystalline structure.
Clothes: Structured, angular, and imposing.
Materials: Stiff fabrics, vinyl, leather, metal sheets (lightweight and safe), circuit boards, hard plastics.
Silhouettes: Architectural, rigid, and often asymmetrical. Garments that appear to be constructed rather than sewn.
Accessories & Jewelry:
Technological & Abstract: Jewelry made from gears, clock parts, wires, microchips. Pieces that resemble complex diagrams or algorithms.
Time & Control: Broken watch faces, chains, locks, or keys – symbolizing mastery over external constraints.
6. SHAO SI-MING (少司命 - The Lesser God of Fate)
Essence: Playful, mischievous, personal destinies, the fate of the young. Transmutative Power: The power to infuse your existence with rebellious joy, to play with the rules of reality, and to forge your own unpredictable, vibrant future.
Makeup: Whimsical, yet unsettling. Childlike, but distorted.
Colors: Bright, clashing neons, pastels, and unexpected pops of black or dark grey.
Techniques: Deliberately messy lines, exaggerated features (large eyes, small mouths), doll-like blush, or painted-on tears.
Clothes: Mismatched, patched, and playfully disturbing.
Materials: Brightly colored synthetic fabrics, repurposed toys, doll parts, ribbons, plastic beads.
Silhouettes: Disproportionate, oversized, or intentionally ill-fitting. A mix of childish and grotesque elements.
Accessories & Jewelry:
Toy & Game Elements: Jewelry made from broken toys, dice, playing cards, plastic eyeballs.
Nonsensical Charms: Anything that seems out of place or defies logic, like a pacifier with spikes.
Image 1 (left) - From an illustrated version of the Chuci poetry anthology section Nine Songs (Jiu ge), poem the Greater Master of Fate
Image 2 (center) - Wang Lei's Da Si-ming and Shao si-ming
Image 3 (right) - Illustrated version of the poem Lesser Master of Fate, probably fourteenth century
7. DONG-JUN (東君 - A Sun God)
Essence: Blazing light, vitality, fierce defiance, new beginnings. Transmutative Power: The power to radiate your authentic self, to burn away obscurity, and to claim your own space with unyielding, radiant presence.
Makeup: Radiant, intense, and often harsh.
Colors: Fiery reds, oranges, yellows, molten golds, and stark black for contrast.
Techniques: Extreme highlighting, sharp lines, sunburst patterns, scorched or cracked textures. Glitter or reflective elements that catch light intensely.
Clothes: Minimal, yet impactful. Scorched, yet luminous.
Materials: Distressed leather, metallic fabrics, reflective materials, sheer black mesh, heat-treated plastics.
Silhouettes: Form-fitting, or dramatically flowing with sharp edges. Garments that appear to be burned or singed.
Accessories & Jewelry:
Molten & Sharp: Jewelry made from melted plastics, sharp metal shards, or anything that resembles solidified flames or solar flares.
Light & Heat: Small, flickering LED lights, reflective elements, or pieces that mimic radiating heat.
Wang Lei's Dong-jun
8. HE-BO (河伯 - The River Earl)
Essence: Deep currents, hidden truths, urban flow, sometimes destructive power. Transmutative Power: The power to delve into your own depths, to navigate the currents of society, and to reveal the profound, often challenging, truths within yourself.
Makeup: Murky, slick, and subtly unsettling.
Colors: Deep blues, greens, greys, browns, with an oily or iridescent sheen.
Techniques: Wet-look finishes, smudged lines that mimic water movement, subtle contouring that suggests a waterlogged appearance.
Clothes: Appearing perpetually damp, layered, and made from salvaged water-borne debris.
Materials: Sheer, clinging fabrics, plastic sheeting, repurposed fishing nets, rubber, distressed denim.
Silhouettes: Draped, flowing, and often asymmetrical, suggesting the movement of water.
Accessories & Jewelry:
Submerged & Found: Jewelry made from plastic waste, rusted metal, discarded fishing lures, or anything that looks like it's been pulled from the depths.
Waterlogged Elements: Small, clear plastic bubbles, or elements that look like trapped water.
9. SHAN GUI (山鬼 - The Mountain Goddess)
Essence: Untamed nature, solitude, wildness, urban overgrowth. Transmutative Power: The power to reclaim your wild, untamed spirit, to find strength in solitude, and to flourish defiantly even in the most urban of landscapes.
Shan Gui Gu. 18th century
Makeup: Earthy, organic, yet with an artificial twist.
Colors: Forest greens, deep browns, mossy greys, with pops of neon or metallic for contrast.
Techniques: Textured makeup (e.g., using safe adhesives for moss-like effects), branch-like lines, or patterns mimicking cracked earth.
Clothes: Layered, rugged, and overgrown.
Materials: Distressed natural fabrics, synthetic moss, plastic leaves, repurposed climbing gear, rough knits.
Silhouettes: Draped, asymmetrical, and often with elements that appear to be growing or clinging to the body.
Accessories & Jewelry:
Reclaimed Wilderness: Jewelry made from plastic leaves, synthetic moss, small rocks, or anything that mimics natural elements but with an artificial twist.
Wild & Untamed: Twigs, branches, or elements that suggest thorns or roots.
Yaoji is a Chinese Mountain Goddess, worshipped in the rocks and mountain peaks. There are several different myths about her original purpose and intent, yet it is generally accepted that she represents Goddess Peak (Shennu Feng) of Wu Mountain, the east gate to the Three Gorges on the Yangtze River. Her attributes include medicinal herbs, guiding passing ships from danger, and dreams.
Your Pre-Workshop Preparation Checklist:
To make the most of our workshop, start gathering your materials and brainstorming your look now!
Choose Your Deity: Which deity's essence resonates most with your desired Voidpunk identity? Don't feel limited to just one – you can draw inspiration from multiple!
Gather Inspiration: Look at the provided images, but also search for more. Think about textures, colors, and shapes that evoke your chosen deity's energy.
Raid Your Wardrobe & Beyond:
Clothes: Start pulling out old clothes, thrift store finds, or even household items that could be repurposed. Think about layering, cutting, and altering.
Accessories: Look for anything that could be transformed – old jewelry, broken electronics, discarded plastic, wires, chains, ribbons, even natural elements like twigs or leaves (if you plan to treat them for durability).
Makeup & Tools:
Colors: Gather your makeup palettes, face paints, eyeliners, and lipsticks in the suggested color schemes.
Special Effects: Consider glitter, iridescent powders, liquid latex (if experienced and safe), or UV paints.
Tools: Brushes, sponges, stencils, and anything else you use for creative makeup.
Sketch & Experiment: Don't wait for the workshop! Start sketching out ideas for your look. Try on different clothing combinations. Experiment with makeup ideas. Take photos of your experiments.
This workshop is a safe space for radical self-expression. There are no rules, only possibilities. Come ready to play, transform, and unleash the magnificent monster within – a monster of self-love, power, and defiant existence.
See you there, Voidpunks!
