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Intimate Portrait
#NoPainNoFilterKa Chi CHAN
What do you usually draw inspiration from to explore such a broad range of creative ideas and subjects, including social culture, mythology, artificial intelligence, and more?
My inspiration comes from the world around—the natural dynamics of the environment, the complex and ever-evolving social structures, and the hidden languages of the physical and digital realms. I find the interactions between natural systems and digital systems fascinating, believing that they hold untapped creative potential.
I explore these systems from both conceptual and technological perspectives, observing the ways of changes and interactions manifest in nature. This inclination often translates into an exploration of movement and temporality in my work; I enjoy uncovering creative possibilities by observing natural/social/artificial systems.
Some say that artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly advanced and quite terrifying. Do you think it should be feared or embraced?
As an artist, I understand the fears associated with AI —the rapid advancements, the potential for misuse, and the changes it may bring to our lives, work, and interactions. However, fear often stems from the unknown and what it might mean for our future.
Throughout history, each wave of technological innovation has initially sparked fear, but as the potential benefits are understood and harnessed, the fear becomes part of daily life. I believe the same will be true for AI.
Art plays a special role in this stage of technological development. It serves as a medium for interpreting, critiquing, and shaping these advancements, making them more accessible and less daunting. Art has the power to demystify artificial intelligence to some extent, presenting it as a tool that expands creativity and enables innovative responses to societal and environmental issues.
Nevertheless, ongoing conversations around the ethics, governance, and social impact of AI are crucial. As AI continues to evolve, we must ensure that empathy, inclusivity, and human well-being remain at its core.
I believe it is worth embracing the potential of AI, but with a conscious sense of caution and ongoing dialogue.
Why do you choose to present your works through digital art?
I do so because digital art provides a platform to explore the intersections of technology, nature, and society. Digital art serves as a versatile tool and medium – simultaneously functioning as the medium, method and canvas.
Digital technology has redefined the possibilities of artistic expression, allowing me to simulate and manipulate intangible elements—whether algorithms, data, code, or digital processes—and present them in visually and conceptually impactful ways.
As our lives become increasingly intertwined with digital platforms, digital art allows me to directly engage with these new forms of interaction and culture. Integrating technologies such as virtual reality, code, or AI into my work enhances the creative process and enables me to explore new realms of expression.
What boundaries do you hope to break in terms of digital art creation?
My intention is to continuously push the boundaries in digital art creation, including exploring new narrative possibilities, embracing the unforeseen, and fostering impactful dialogues between art, technology, and society.
I aim to encourage people to see digital art not just as a form of artistic expression, but also as a lens for observing, critiquing, and shaping technological advancements. Through my works, I strive to stimulate conversations about the impact of technology on society and culture.
In addition to digital art creation, would you consider exploring other creative mediums in the future?
As an artist, I firmly believe in not limiting oneself to a single medium, and I plan to continue exploring and experimenting with different mediums in my future works.
One area that interests me is robot art—using robots as tools in the creative process, and even as co-creators, to merge the physical and digital aspects of art. I am curious about how robot systems can achieve unique intersections between the tangible and intangible, the physical and digital realms.
I am also passionate about exploring the realm of performance art, incorporating technology into music, physical movements, and expressions to redefine traditional theatrical landscapes. By integrating digital art into performance art, I hope to create works that explore the collaboration between human expression and AI.
Collaboration with social practice is also a goal of mine, as I believe in the importance of art as a tool to drive social change and promote community engagement. Combining digital art with social practice opens up more opportunities for interaction, discussion, and collaboration, making art not just an object of aesthetic appreciation, but a generator of social discourse.
While my primary focus is on digital art, I am also enthusiastic about blurring the boundaries between different fields, mediums, and practices.
