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Interview of Zhao Ying Qiao
ABOUT
Fine Art Artist
School of Visual Art
Architecture, Space, Individuals, Groups
ARTIST TALK
I hope my work serves as a lens to examine the evolving complexity of human existence, going beyond mere visual aesthetics. It's a question I pose, exploring what it means to be human in an era where the distinction between the natural world and human creations is becoming increasingly blurred.
QUESTION
Please give us a brief introduction about yourself.
Zhao:
I was born and raised in a family of architects and interior designers, so I've always had easy access to architecture and spaces. For a long time, I considered becoming an architect or a designer, as it seemed related to my family background. However, I realized that architecture isn't purely art; architects can't break free from constraints as artists do. Unlike the visionary and ambitious images often associated with art, architects in the real world often display unimaginable humility at critical moments, which can be frustrating, but it's a fact.
QUESTION
Where do you usually draw inspiration for your work?
Zhao:
One day, I came across the quote "All space must be attached to a value, to a public dimension. There is no private space. The only private space that you can imagine is the human mind." —Paulo Mendes da Rocha. This sentence greatly inspired me. I realized that perhaps I shouldn't abandon my passion for architecture. Space has become a medium and imagery for me to explore the intimate relationship between individual consciousness, collectivity, and space. The expression of space can be concrete, such as buildings, urban landscapes, etc., or abstract, such as lines, geometric shapes, etc. I believe that the ways space is used and organized have significant impacts on individual cognition and collective interactions.
Zhao:
In my concept, individual cognition refers to the understanding and experience of oneself and the surrounding environment in terms of perception, thinking, emotion, and consciousness, while space serves as the background and framework for individual existence and action, including physical and social space. Different spatial environments can affect individuals' perceptions, thoughts, and emotions, thus shaping their cognitive experiences. Individual cognition also influences the understanding and use of space; individuals interpret and evaluate space based on their perception and cognitive abilities and adjust and utilize space according to their needs and goals.
Moreover, social factors of space such as social groups, cultural backgrounds, and norms also influence individual cognition and understanding of space. These factors intertwine to form a complex relationship between individual cognition and space.
QUESTION
Do you have any insights to share with us?
Zhao:
As Louis Kahn once said, "A great building, in my opinion, must begin with the unmeasurable, go through measurable means when it is being designed, and in the end must be unmeasurable." I believe the same principle applies to painting. It can lead us closer to a higher existence. But before that, we need to understand who we are. In my work, it raises questions about how humans understand their relationship with their creations and the natural world.
Zhao:
I focus on blending abstract elements such as maps, architecture, blueprints, etc., to create a captivating "gray area" where certain elements in the artwork evoke familiar things in people's cognition but are cleverly altered, thus exploring the disharmony within the artwork itself.
The interaction between natural and mechanical elements in my paintings metaphorically represents the inherent conflicts and dualities of human nature and modern human experience. Through my work, I hope viewers contemplate how individuals shape themselves in different spatial environments and the interaction and symbiotic relationship between individuals and space. This reflects the increasingly complex relationship between humans and their creations, especially in a time dominated by technology and urbanization.
Zhao:
I hope my work serves as a lens to examine the evolving complexity of human existence, going beyond mere visual aesthetics. It's a question I pose, exploring what it means to be human in an era where the distinction between the natural world and human creations is becoming increasingly blurred.
QUESTION
Could you select one of your most satisfying works and introduce its background and inspiration?
Zhao:
The entire piece consists of multiple elements, each with its unique symbolic meaning. Firstly, the individual figures in the artwork are depicted with bright colors and bold lines, forming "rooms" to express a sense of individual presence.
Zhao:
Surrounding the individuals, the elements of the collective are presented with softer tones and blurred contours. These collective figures appear in an abstract manner, symbolizing the social environment the individual inhabits and the power of the collective. The blurriness of the collective elements suggests that the individual's perception of the collective may be limited, or there may be a risk of losing oneself to some extent within the collective.
Combining visual effects and symbolic significance, I liken the individual to rooms, and these rooms gradually form buildings, ultimately creating a "skyline," which also signifies that our social consciousness is composed of the cognition of individual entities.
WITH CONTEMPORARY ART
QUESTION
Have you been inspired by any contemporary art movements recently?
Zhao:
Most of the time, it's contemporary abstract painting and architectural design. I'm someone who dabbles in a bit of everything, given the plethora of sources available in the internet age. It's hard for me to describe how these influences inspire me; I see them more as visual databases stored in my mind.
If I had to name a few contemporary artists, Julie Mehretu, Mark Bradford, and Sarah Sze are currently among my favorites. This includes not only their artworks but also the concepts they discuss in their interviews.
QUESTION
What's the favorite art exhibition you've seen recently?
Zhao:
There have been a few in the past couple of months. Mark Rothko's solo exhibition at the National Art Museum, and two photography exhibitions by Josef Koudelka and Francesca Woodman.
QUESTION
Do you have any insights to share about the trends in contemporary art?
Zhao:
I believe all artists are seeking breakthroughs in this era. Artworks tend to lean towards multimedia installations. Most of the time, I think these things are new for the sake of being new. However, what truly impressed me are still the works of the modernist masters.
BLUBLU
Zhao's unique background as a child of architects and designers led them to explore the intricate relationship between space and human cognition in their work. Inspired by Paulo Mendes da Rocha and Louis Kahn, Z blends abstract and concrete elements, exploring themes of individuality, collectivity, and the evolving human experience in a technologically dominated era.
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