Digital Soul & Data Metamorphosis

Country: Singapore
Media: 3D Game Environment, Interactive Installation
Year: 2024
An immersive and experimental new media art that documents the artist’s self-experiences, beliefs, and ideologies and examines the potential for human soul immortalisation and extension within the digital realm in the context of evolving artificial intelligence. The project raises the speculative hypothesis that the human soul, once limited to the physical realm, possesses the potential to not only thrive but also be measured, stored, generativity developed and immortalised in the virtual realm with the development of artificial intelligence and data processing.

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Red Rose and White Rose

Collaborated with 90 Degree Drama Cub, National Unviersity Singapore
Country: Singapore
Media: 3D Rendering
Year: 2024
Based on Eileen Chang’s celebrated novel "Red Rose and White Rose," this design serves as the marketing material for its theatrical adaptation of the same name. The imagery of red and white roses blooming captures the essence of the narrative, set against the vibrant yet tumultuous backdrop of 1930s Shanghai.

The contrasting roses symbolize the dualities explored in Chang's story—passion versus purity, desire versus duty, and the complexities of human relationships. The red rose represents the fiery and forbidden love, embodying the protagonist's deepest desires and inner turmoil. In contrast, the white rose stands for the societal expectations of purity, order, and the tranquil life he is supposed to lead.

The backdrop of 1930s Shanghai, with its blend of tradition and modernity, provides a rich cultural and historical context. The city was a melting pot of Eastern and Western influences, a place where ancient customs clashed with new ideas, mirroring the protagonist’s internal conflict and the novel's exploration of identity and societal pressures.

This artwork aims to evoke the intense emotions and the era’s aesthetic, inviting the audience into a world of dramatic contrasts and poignant beauty. The visual elements not only honor Eileen Chang's literary masterpiece but also entice theatergoers to delve into the evocative and intricate narrative brought to life on stage.


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A.I. Grottoes

Exhibited at Ars Electronica 2023 Campus Exhibit, Linz, Austria

Country: Singapore
Media: 3D Environment in Unreal Engine
Year: 2024
Collaboration: Nur Haidah
Links: https://ars.electronica.art/who-owns-the-truth/en/ai-grotto/

A.I. Grotto examines the relationship between AI-generated art, craftsman spirit, and ancient heritage sites. It seeks to initiate a dialog with the public, contemplating the coexistence of AI and the craftsman spirit in the future. Inspired by Dunhuang Cave Murals which have a history spanning thousands of years, AI-generated models learn and transforms contemporary news and photographs into the Dunhuang style, blending ancient art with modern content in a modernized documentation approach.

The Dunhuang Caves, located in Dunhuang City, Gansu Province, China, are among the most renowned repositories of art in China. This magnificent artistic heritage comprises around 500 caves and over 4,000 wall paintings, spanning over 1,600 years of history, representing one of the most splendid painting traditions of ancient China.

These caves were first constructed in the 4th century AD and continued to be expanded and adorned until the 14th century, witnessing the prosperity of the ancient Silk Road and cultural exchanges. The rich artistic creations including murals, cave sculptures, and manuscripts display the magnificent achievements of Buddhist, Taoist, and secular art, reflecting cultural exchanges among China, India, Central Asia, and West Asia throughout history.

The Mogao Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a national-level key cultural relic protection unit in China, attracting numerous domestic and international visitors and scholars to explore, study, and appreciate their unique artistic charm. These caves bear rich historical narratives and cultural connotations, constituting an indispensable part of China's cultural heritage.
3.5

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Personality Awakening
Country: Singapore
Media: Experimental Film
Year: 2023


Personality Awakening reflects on societal definitions of the self. In our daily lives, we often confine ourselves within specific personality tests and definitions. However, the true essence of everyone is a complex and diverse existence. The artwork expresses that each person possesses a unique personality, prompting viewers to engage in profound introspection about their inner selves.

It is an experimental short film that intricately represents different facets of personality through four scenes. Each scene is accompanied by a distinct soundtrack & visual elements, and as the film progresses, these soundtracks $ visual elements gradually blend together, symbolizing that our personalities are formed by the merging of diverse facets. This experimental presentation vividly showcases the diversity and complexity of personality, guiding viewers to contemplate the layers and multiplicities within their inner worlds. Through the interplay of visual and auditory elements, the artwork challenges traditional notions of self-awareness, sparking profound reflections on the essence of personality.

“Alice is everyone.”
“Barnum Effect. “

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The Story of History
Country: Singapore
Media:  Interatctive Installation, Generative AI, VR
Year: 2022

Exhibited at: Je Ne Sais Quoi
Speical Thanks to: Yeo Ker Siang and classnates

In this exhibition within an exhibition, it creates an exhibition within an exhibition named The Story of History: Imagine Bras Basah Bugis in Time. Mimicking a general museum-like exhibition where new technology and new media art are created and used to enhance the user experience and understanding, this exhibition deployed the following methods to make the audience believe that “everything is real”.

This exhibition deployed generative art making in all assets production. Generative art refers to art that in whole or in part has been created with the use of an autonomous system. It is a representation of the philosophical idea of “rhizome” where knowledge is like a nonlinear network that “connects any point to any other point”. It is like the process of collecting evidence, clues are intertwined to help us puzzle out the past.

Virtual Reality (VR) is used to create a stimulating environment where things are hyper-realistic. A simulating environment of the tropical landscape of Bras Basah Bugis terrain is covered with plants. It is a simulation of the environment before the arrival of civilisation in Singapore.

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The Story of History: (Re)Imagine Bras Basah Bugis in Time presents The Story of History: Imagine Bras Basah Bugis in Time, a curated exhibition to show A.I. generated or megascan objects that are reproduced by Zhang Ziyi. The artwork labels in the exhibitions are designed as part of the artwork which aims to make the audience believe in the authenticity of the artwork. The following are “artworks” exhibited:



Into the Paleozoic Era of Singapore Bras Basah Bugis District, 2022

It is an immersive Virtual Reality made by Zhang Ziyi in Unreal Engine 4 and Oculus. Using Megascan assets of tropical natural objects, this VR experience allows the audience to get into the forest of the Paleozoic Era of Bras Basah Bugis District Singapore. This Unreal Engine rendering is developed based on satellite map data of Brash Basah and Bugis, as well as historical and geographical research of natural environments. The is a fireplace in the middle simulating the start of early human civilization.



Fossil & Stone collections: Paleozoic Era Stone, Whale Fossil

These are two images generated by DALL·E 2 – OpenAI. They look like real photos of fossils. The prompt I used is “Fossil & Stone collections: Paleozoic Era Stone, Whale Fossil”. On the artwork label, I put “Photography of historical objects at National Museum Singapore” to make the audience believe that it is true. The actual historical objects are collected at National Museum Singapore.



George D. Coleman (1798 - 1844): Map of the Town and Environs of Singapore from an Actual Survey, 1836

This is a map image generated by DALL·E 2 – OpenAI, and the title is prompt. In the artwork tag, it says that it is a print of a digital image resource from the Singapore National Archive. This is the first map where Bras Basah Bugis get recorded.” to make the audience believe that it is true. It is the map which Bras Basah Bugis district first recorded.



Plants from William Farquhar Collection of Natural History Drawings, 2022

It is a Projection of DALL·E 2 – OpenAI generated images, the title is prompt. The actual copies are collected at National Museum Singapore. A.I. mimic the style of the images of the actual William’s collection.



Bras Basah Street 1830s, c.1835

This is an engraving work generated by DALL·E 2 – OpenAI, and the title is prompt. The artwork label says Belongs to Singaporean Collectors Lee Kong Yaw and Chan Yu Ling” which are two virtual people who do not exist. The artwork is well-framed and looks like it is an actual collection.



Bugis District in 1950s, 1953-54

This is a series of four black and white photographs generated by DALL·E 2 – OpenAI, and the title is prompt. 



Percussion of Past and Now, 2022

It is a percussion music piece generated by A.I. which is played in the background of the exhibition. The art label says that “Adrian Cheong (b. 1993) is famous for merging Southeast Asian folk music into a modern composition. His works are played at museums and theatre performances.” 


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Credit for Educational Use:
https://unsplash.com/photos/round-black-clock-on-linen-vGF1d7MU9MM

Reminiscence of River South

Country: Singapore
Media: 3D Game Environment made in Unreal Engine 5
Year: 2023


"Reminiscence of River South" is an interactive metaverse game built on Unreal Engine 5, inspired by the rich cultural identity of artists’ hometown, the River South region of China (also known as Jiangnan). Developed on Unreal Engine 5, this project transports users to a dreamy digital space, where the essence of Jiangnan's vibrant culture and history come alive.

The cheongsam, also known as the qipao, is an iconic symbol deeply rooted in Chinese culture. The cheongsam's allure lies in its graceful silhouette, high collar, and exquisite embroidery. Worn on various occasions, from formal events to everyday wear, the cheongsam continues to be a cherished representation of heritage and a timeless embodiment of grace and style.

Within the realm of the metaverse, the audience is presented with a captivating wardrobe transition, adapting their attire as they traverse various locations. The cheongsam, a quintessential and elegant dress, seamlessly metamorphoses to synchronize with the ever-changing digital landscapes. The dress's patterns artfully harmonize with the surrounding environment, captivatingly enhancing the immersive experience for participants as they traverse through a world adorned with lanterns, creating a mesmerizing symphony of visual allure.


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imeless Beginnings: A Clock Tower Tribute to New Life in Singapore (2023)
Country: Singapore
Media: Rendering, Generative AI
Year: 2022

Timeless Beginnings reveres the birth of Singaporeans and celebrates the essence of self-love. It conveys the significance of cherishing one's unique time clock, free from the shackles of societal pressures and judgments. The clock strikes hours to commemorate the arrival of newborn Singaporeans in an average of 11 minutes. It walks in a non-linear way, accelerating and then decelerating, implying the curve of Sinagpore's birth rate over years as well as the ebb and flow of individual's life.

The artist was inspired by Oscar Wilde's quote, "To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance", encouraging audience to embrace themselves wholly and unconditionally.

🦋Media Art Nexus @mediaartnexus, Ina Conradi
🦋NTU ADM @ntu_adm
🦋Showcased at Ten Square, Landmark of Good @10sq.io
🦋Photography: Raeann Lee @raedygo

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