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The hierarchy of animals within various cultures often elevates certain creatures to the status of divinity, while others remain disregarded, relegated to the margins or even reviled. Cockroaches are typically seen as pests and are devoid of the reverence granted to sacred animals. By reimagining the image of the cockroach—both literally and conceptually—artist Mark Wang challenges our deep-seated biases surrounding the roach and elevates them through his films Blessings of the Generations (世代的祝福) and The Song of Will (意志的高歌).

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To Mark, the bond between humans and cockroaches is more significant than we often realise. It is a co-evolution where both species have influenced each other's development. In fact, from an agrarian society to becoming an urban conglomerate, it is humans who have encroached the spaces of the roach. Yet, this relationship is often dismissed as being part of involuntary evolution. Reexamining the dynamics between humans and cockroaches, Mark questions the meaning of being at the top of the food chain and offers deeper insights into our own lives and desires, as reflected in both films.

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The two films explore different facets of the cockroach, elevating the insect to a divine and historical status. In Blessings of the Generations (世代的祝福) blends informal education about insects with fiction, portraying the cockroach as a god-like figure essential to progeny and survival. The film delves into the symbolic significance of cockroaches, suggesting that their resilience and adaptability make them worthy of reverence. Song of Will (意志的高歌) reimagines human history from the perspective of the cockroach, positioning the insect as a silent witness to humanity's greatest achievements. In this narrative, the film proposes that many of the feats humans pride themselves on have already been mastered by cockroaches or could easily be replicated by them, challenging our perception of human superiority. Using AI tools like Midjourney and DALL-E, Marks questions the concept of beauty attached to the insects and transforms them into a symbol of resilience and mystique.

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Mark makes the case for how these Blattodea are remarkable survivors that have evolved over millions of years. Adapting to both wild environments and indoor spaces, Mark invites the audience to move beyond the visceral level of disgust attached to the cockroaches and re-view them as a testament to life's enduring adaptability.