By Trisha Rao
The artwork Can’t Help Myself, created by Sun Yuan and Peng Yu, features a robot arm programmed to continuously scrape and contain hydraulic fluid that leaks from its system. Initially, the robot moves with energy, interacting with spectators, but over time its movements become sluggish and desperate as it struggles to keep the fluid from spreading. The fluid is essential to the robot’s functioning—without it, the machine will cease to operate. The robot’s futile attempt to preserve its life source creates an emotional impact, symbolizing exhaustion, loss, and inevitable decline.
The concept of the robot arm in the artwork Can’t Help Myself can be closely related to the lives of Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Just like the robot arm desperately trying to contain its hydraulic fluid to stay functional, refugees often find themselves trapped in a cycle of survival, constantly working to secure basic needs like food, shelter, and safety. Despite their efforts, external factors—like economic instability, limited access to resources, and ongoing conflicts—make it increasingly difficult for them to sustain themselves, much like the robot arm eventually running out of hydraulic fluid.
Over time, just as the robot’s movements become slower and more desperate, Syrian refugees often face declining hope as years in displacement wear them down mentally and physically. Refugees might start their journey with strength and resilience, but without the necessary support systems, they can reach a point of exhaustion, where their only focus is survival rather than thriving or rebuilding their lives. The metaphor of the robot bleeding hydraulic fluid could also represent the draining emotional and psychological toll refugees experience, feeling as though they are continuously losing a piece of themselves while striving to maintain their dignity.
Ultimately, the artwork’s message about the system that enslaves the robot could also reflect the broader challenges refugees face in systems that don’t always support their long-term well-being, where they struggle against circumstances beyond their control, often with minimal assistance to truly change their condition. The cycle of struggle, much like the endless attempts of the robot to contain the fluid, mirrors the uphill battle many Syrian refugees endure daily.
At GLOW, we recognize the immense challenges faced by refugees, but we also see their potential for resilience and growth. Just like the robot in Can’t Help Myself, many refugees find themselves in a relentless cycle of survival, but we believe that with the right support, they can break free from that cycle. Our mission is to provide not only immediate relief but also tools for long-term empowerment—through education, mental health support, and innovative technology. We strive to ignite hope in communities that feel forgotten, to inspire young leaders, and to remind every individual of their intrinsic value and strength. At GLOW, we are not just alleviating suffering; we are building futures full of possibilities where every person has the chance to believe in themselves and thrive.
