We had the good fortune of connecting with Chun Wang and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Chun, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Art, for me, is not just a form of expression but a mode of exploration and discovery. It’s a vessel that carries observations, emotions, narratives, and debates. In this realm, I find myself assuming various roles – sometimes as an archaeologist, delving into historical realities to unearth the roots of contemporary issues, and at other times as an astronaut, venturing into uncharted territories of imagination and creativity.
The multidimensional nature of art is what draws me to it. Jean Mignot’s late fourteenth-century quote, ‘Art without knowledge is nothing,’ profoundly resonates with me. It encapsulates my belief that art transcends mere aesthetic appeal and is deeply intertwined with knowledge and understanding. This philosophy guides my artistic endeavors, as I strive to create works that are not only visually captivating but also intellectually stimulating.
My journey in art is characterized by a refusal to be confined to a single role or medium. I embrace the roles of a curator, researcher, designer, and engineer, akin to being fluent in multiple languages of creativity. This versatility allows me to approach art from various perspectives, enriching my work and enabling me to engage with a diverse audience. By blending knowledge with aesthetics, my aim is to create art that invites viewers not just to see, but to think, reflect, and engage in a deeper dialogue with the world around them.”
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I endeavor to make my art not just a display of skill, but a fusion of thought-provoking concepts and emotional resonance. My unique path from a software engineer to an artist has given me a distinct perspective, allowing me to blend the precision of technology with the fluidity of art.
My journey began in the structured world of computer science, where I learned to appreciate the elegance of algorithms. However, my heart was always drawn to the unbounded creativity of studio art. This duality often led to an identity crisis as an artist – am I a technologist or an artist? I realized that I don’t have to choose; instead, I can be a bridge connecting these two worlds.
Finding my voice in art wasn’t straightforward. The constant evolution of media and technology posed challenges, but also opened up new avenues for expression. Integrating traditional artistic techniques with digital innovations was a complex but rewarding endeavor. One of the significant challenges was ensuring my art remained authentic and not just a product of technological novelty.
I’ve learned that art is not just about the end product but the process and intention behind it. Embracing AI and other technological tools, like GPT, has been enlightening. I experimented by using AI to critique my paintings, which was challenging since the essence of painting transcends mere words. This experiment taught me about the different perspectives AI can offer, enhancing my understanding of my own work.
However, I’ve also pondered the implications of relying on AI for artistic critique – what do I gain, and what do I potentially lose? It’s a delicate balance between utilizing technology as a tool and retaining the irreplaceable value of human creativity. This contemplation is an ongoing journey for me, as I explore the intrinsic worth of human artists in an era saturated with AI-generated content.
As art historian Hal Foster insightfully declared, “the ideal medium of archival art is the mega-archive of the Internet”. Looking forward, I am excited about redefining archival art. I envision it not just as a retrospective collection but as a dynamic conversation between the past, present, and future. Memory and immemory. I still have the dream about the internet that it fashions distracted viewers into engaged discussants (here there is nothing passive about the word “archival”). My aim is to make art that connects seemingly unrelated elements, sparking curiosity and discussion.
In essence, my brand and story are about this continuous exploration and integration – of technology with tradition, of data with emotion, and of the past with the future. I want to be known as an artist who didn’t just adapt to the digital age but used it to redefine what art could be.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I will take my friends on a food tour around the city, including diverse eateries such as Lashevet, Awash Ethiopian Restaurant, and Uyghur Cuisine. Food tasting is a great way to explore the sensory dimension of cityscapes, with focus on touch and smell, but also presents an interdisciplinary approach to urban sensescapes coming from anthropology, aesthetics, theory of architecture, art and design research, psychophysiology, ethology, analytic chemistry, etc. Between restaurant reservations we can discuss the book Food and the City by Ina Yalof, in which amazing cooks, chefs, street vendors and artisans tell their unique stories. NYC is a culinary metropolis, and I think the oral history about NYC’s dynamic food culture is very telling about the city’s spirit.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to extend my thanks to SFMoMA who featured seven pieces of my original artworks early in my career. They saw in me an artist who would carry forward my ideas and this gave me the courage to explore and push the boundaries of my creativity. The engagement with the SFMoMA curatorial team was a catalyst for a significant shift in my artistic direction, steering me towards a more conceptual approach.
Beyond institutional support, I am deeply appreciative of the supportive individuals in my life who have consistently encouraged my creative pursuits. After moving to New York City, I’ve been fortunate to connect with like-minded creative friends, with whom I have formed fulfilling and enriching partnerships.Their insights, critiques, and encouragement have been a constant source of inspiration and motivation, stretching my projects in new dimensions.
These experiences underscore a fundamental truth in the world of art – that while the act of creating may be solitary, the journey of an artist is a tapestry woven from numerous collaborations, influences, and supportive gestures. For this, I am deeply grateful.
Website: chunwang.art
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chunwang.art/