Lie Flat and Be Free

Philip Ringler
2022

Lie Flat and Be Free is a visual response to Tang Ping (躺平), or "lying flat"—a quiet yet radical movement among Chinese youth rejecting the relentless grind of an overburdened work culture. Amidst an environment defined by extreme ambition, grueling hours, and diminishing rewards, Tang Ping is an act of resistance, a rejection of societal pressures, and an embrace of a more monastic, minimalist existence. To "lie flat" is to opt out, to refuse conformity, to reclaim autonomy from an economic system that demands endless labor with little reprieve.

This work is dedicated to my friends in China—especially my artist friends—who navigate immense pressure from both societal expectations and government-imposed restrictions. Their daily reality is one of relentless control, censorship, and an ever-present demand to conform. While I no longer live there, I see it as essential to remain an active ally, using art as a means of solidarity and resistance.

Each element in this series carries a deliberate duality. Every prop is, of course, made in China—manufactured under the very conditions that have sparked this quiet rebellion. The images themselves are layered with double meanings, designed to elude censorship while still speaking to those who understand their deeper implications. Through subtle visual coding, irony, and metaphor, Lie Flat and Be Free seeks to honor the resilience of those who resist, offering a space for contemplation and connection in a world where defiance often comes at great personal risk.