生生ALWAYS GROWING

Baoyang Chen, Dabeiyuzhou, Fn Media Lab, Raven Kwok, Zixuan Nian, Uchan Sun, Xiaolei Tian, Changcun Wang, Yicai Wang, Mr. D. Mousse

Lao Tzu’s “Tao Te Ching” states: ” Tao gives birth to One. One gives birth to Two. Two gives birth to Three. Three gives birth to all things.” In ancient Chinese philosophy and cosmology, yin and yang, virtuality and reality are seen as the foundation of all creation. The ever-changing world is both virtual and real. All things flow in the void, continuously thriving and regenerating. “The dynamic interplay of virtuality and reality” not only forms a core aspect of Chinese philosophy but also underpins an important aesthetic concept in Chinese art, providing creators with a vast space for imagination and innovation.

Digital art, as a virtual and real coexisting art form, has evolved from experimental explorations in the early 20th century to a diverse fusion in the 21st century, becoming an integral part of our lives. With rapid technological advancements, contemporary Chinese digital art has developed swiftly since the beginning of the new century, spanning over 20 years. Contemporary Chinese digital artists, often with interdisciplinary backgrounds and strong collaborative spirits, explore a wide range of topics through their artistic practices, delving into the relationships between humanity and technology, history and the future, showcasing rich imagination and a profound spiritual world.

This exhibition features works from 10 artists or collectives who are at the forefront of contemporary Chinese digital art creation. The showcased works encompass various types such as artificial intelligence, generative art, 3D imaging, gaming, mixed reality, somatosensory interaction, computer programming composition and live coding. These works aim to immerse the audience in an embodied experience that has no boundaries between virtuality and reality, conveying distinctive Eastern aesthetics. The use of technology in art creation goes beyond merely displaying technological prowess; the exhibited artists, like Pao Ding in Chuang Tzu’s “Essentials for Nourishing Life”, use technology to deeply explore and interpret the complexities of human society and culture, finding new avenues for expression.

The exhibition also includes a digital humanities unit, presenting the latest academic achievements from Research Center for Digital Humanities of Renmin University of China.

Digital humanities unit: Research Center for Digital Humanities of Renmin