PEIYI LIANG

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Ecotopia is based on the concept of a sustainable utopian society, how to build a material system for the harmonious coexistence of human and nature in the future when the sea level rises and land resources become scarce. The project uses algae as the main medium of creation, explores the possibilities of future development of sustainable materials. Also carries out relevant material research and development as well as combining with parametric design, 3d printing and other technology.

 

The work is divided into three parts: bio-material library, wearable device, and digital virtual garment. It has been shortlisted in 2022 Gucci x ARTS thread global Design Exhibition and the 53rd China CIFF Civil Furniture Exhibition, 2024 China CMF Trend LAB Exhibition.

BERRY LIN

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This series of experimental digital paintings take conceptualized star maps of astronomical significance as clues and symbols, hinting at the inspiration and awakening of consciousness at the moment of gazing upon the vastness of the cosmos. Immersed in the striking colors of the fluorescent system, different characters inhabit various energy fields, constructing multidimensional narratives of a certain spacetime story. The identities of various creatures in the images are indeterminate; they do not create barriers due to their own identities and natures. Instead, they harmoniously coexist, creating narratives of inspiration that belong to them. This is an open space for imaginative experiences. I attempt to construct a utopian realm of dreams, using decentralized visual language to offer observers diverse possibilities of altering particle states.

Jeanne (Xinjun) Li

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"Digital Zen, Eternal Flow: Mountains of the Mind" embodies the quest to blend the spiritual essence of Buddhist philosophy with the aesthetic principles of traditional Chinese landscape painting, infused with the innovative pulse of immersive digital media. This piece was inspired by Jeanne's spiritual experience as a female Buddhist Monk (Bhikkhuni) after surviving lung cancer. It captures the subjective "landscape within the mind," invoking the Buddhist concept of inner tranquility and the philosophical doctrine of the "Three Distances" inherent in Chinese landscape art. This doctrine—comprising high distance (the vertical dimension), deep distance (the horizontal expansion into the scene), and level distance (the spatial variation across the plane)—serves as a metaphor for the journey of life and spiritual seeking. By integrating traditional art with digital technologies, including depth maps of Buddha figures, the work invites viewers to participate, immersing themselves in a virtual pilgrimage through imagined landscapes, thus becoming "mountain dwellers" traversing both spiritual and material realms.

LuoqiChen， digital artist Sen Liu and music artist Yue Gu

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The artwork innovatively reinterprets Chinese traditional ink aesthetics within the digital realm with it serving as its creative foundation. Upon the celestial loop, an abstract world scroll unfolds gradually in front of the viewer who is standing in a traditional Chinese patio. Elements such as mountains, seas, stars, and the radiant moon appear and shift dynamically. The imagery of the flow of time and the glow of the moon is portrayed within the grand, dreamlike, and mysterious interplay of light and shadow shaped by ink aesthetics.

The entire artwork deconstructs and reconstructs the perceptual experience. Although the viewer is immersed in this surreal scenario, familiar architectural, natural, and biological elements, such as buildings, raindrops and red-crowned cranes register themselves in people's subconscious minds as elements of reality. The scroll-like world scene unfolds in a space akin to a vast celestial ring, where the surreal concept of time is unleashed, resulting in an immersive encounter with natural phenomena beyond conventional expectations. Sensory interactive technology, coupled with real-time digital rendering, further ensures that audiences can seamlessly wander from the physical world to the digital realm. The virtual digital realm reshapes individuals' embodied sensory experiences. The whole immersive space transforms human subjectivity into the core medium for displaying unique spatial scenarios, where all spectators in the cave collectively participate in creating this artwork.

Zhiyan Cai

Time makes prisoners of us all, forever transitioning from our own pasts into the unknown future. However, imagination and technology intertwine, breaking through the confines of limited lifetimes and millennia of time and space, linking ancient myths to the uncharted cosmic galaxies.
Just as the first dragon's mark was etched into the ancient earth and the legend of the first phoenix was spread, I witnessed planes taking off, rockets launching, and humanity venturing into space to touch the stars. I also glimpsed the thriving civilizations that would develop on this land a thousand years from now.
Dragons and phoenixes, as myths and totems, accompany humanity's imagination, hope, and relentless struggle. They are born to soar into the cosmos, touch the sun, and yet, they remain guardians of our land, bestowing civilization upon the ages.

Jiayi Li&Yuqian Li

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"Buckwheat in Bloom" is a digital folk art piece inspired by the Yi people's creation epic, "Meige". This digital artwork beautifully integrates two thematic components of the epic: "Creation" and "Crafting of the World", showcasing the worldview of the Yi people. The piece explores the profound connections among culture, life, nature, and the cosmos, presenting a digital tableau of Yi cultural landscapes. By weaving traditional narratives with modern digital art techniques, this piece not only celebrates but also preserves the rich heritage of the Yi community in futuristic and speculative format. It invites viewers to reflect on the intricate relationships that define our existence and the universe, tradition and future, epic and digital, around us.

Chuwen Xu

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The lapping of the waves to the shore signifies the end of the waves, and just as the limitations of the human mind exist boundaries, the work conveys the message that life is bound to nature. It urges the viewer to recognise that the boundaries between human thought and the natural world are mere cognitive contradictions, and to reflect on and contemplate the notion of a collective consciousness that permeates all forms of life. The result is a debate between the disconnect created by the indoctrination of human civilisation and the unholy symbiosis of nature. The work challenges traditional notions of separation and emphasises the fluidity of life and the harmonious symbiosis of nature.

 

The techniques used by the authors combine EEG&ECG devices and digital media. This synergy captures and visualises participants' brainwave and heart rate data in real time, translating abstract neural activity into a compelling visual narrative. Viewers are invited to embark on a speculative journey where nature and self-awareness intertwine.

​Zhan Zhang

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This artwork is made using the printed circuit board process. Through the fusion of traditional religions and contemporary new materials, it aims to reflect on the loss of thinking ability of people in the information overloaded environment of the contemporary digital age. The circuit board symbolises the vehicle through which information is born today, and the outline on the green substrate is inspired by Manjushri, the Buddhist character representing wisdom. This work expresses a resistance to the phenomenon of contemporary societal groups lacking in critical thinking, while also exploring the relationship between traditional religion and the lack of a thinking population in a contemporary setting.

Joanna Li

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REMINISCENCE explores how memories are given meaning by the context in which they are remembered. Through a frame-by-frame process of film, the tale unfolds of one old woman’s past emotional journey, which is intrinsically linked to joy, regret, and the passing of time. The film delves into the memory of the old woman, who seeks to make sense of her life by integrating her experiences into more or less coherent stories of the past. Her younger self begins to physically fill the empty spaces with anything and everything she can.

Shuyi Liu&Yachu Feng

 

The artistic concept behind the "AirSphere" board game is to facilitate the enhancement of emotional intelligence and mental well-being for individuals and communities in the modern society. We are dedicated to creating a novel entertainment experience that amalgamates elements of meditation, emotional intelligence, interpersonal interactions, and nature connection. Through this board game, our pursuit is to cultivate emotional intelligence, improve emotional self-regulation, and promote greater empathy within communities in an engaging and enjoyable manner. We believe that elevating emotional intelligence not only enhances an individual's quality of life but also contributes to the creation of a more harmonious, caring, and supportive society.

The concept of the "AirSphere" board game is born out of a profound understanding of contemporary societal issues and a commitment to the importance of emotional intelligence and mental well-being. We believe that through innovative game design and the cultivation of emotional intelligence, we can bring about positive transformation for individuals and communities. This concept drives us to blend entertainment with personal growth to foster more meaningful social interactions and inner tranquility. "AirSphere" is our proactive response to the issues of emotional intelligence and mental health, aiming to provide people with a fresh and enjoyable means to improve their lives and communities.