Photo: NTHU

A Face Drawn in Sand

National Tsing Hua University (TW)

According to Michel Foucault, the concept of “human” is a relatively recent invention. Once the “episteme”–the arrangement of the knowledge framework–changes, “then one can certainly wager that man would be erased, like a face drawn in sand at the edge of the sea”.

Foucault’s anticipation appears particularly thought-provoking today as we witness new technologies such as AI reshaping the entire structure of human knowledge. As a result, the existence of artificial entities would increasingly no longer be regarded as alien or fake. At that point, will anthropocentrism begin to crumble, just like a face drawn in sand that is washed away by the wave? What will we become? And will we, as Manovich has suggested, adopt an accepting or even embracing attitude towards certain ”sub-personal processes“ of artificial entities?

In the exhibition A Face Drawn in the Sand, Cybermove explores a methodology that enables us to escape into the virtual realm. Exchange between Reality & Virtuality lets the audience decide whether to exchange value between virtual and real coins. Leashing the Socket discusses the relationship between people and sockets creating hidden constraints and who holds the power to dominate. Symbiosis with Bees examines the rightful stewardship of natural ecology through fashion wear and audio-visual installations. trans-[aɪ]s investigates what AI sees with human eyes. From Post-Truth to AI-Truth asks, “Who has the right to explain and own the truth?”

  • Cybermove

    Cybermove

    Jiahe Zhao (CN)

    The artist decides to move – in her room – from 12 square meters to 6, then to 3…, until a minimum living space. Discarded items will be 3D scanned and stored in a virtual room. At any place, with a simple construction of portable furniture and a VR headset, the artist can immediately flee…

  • Exchange between Reality & Virtuality

    Exchange between Reality & Virtuality

    Hung-Yu Chen (TW)

    Virtuality has reshaped modern society’s operations, transitioning from exchanging physical currency for real goods to trading virtual currency for virtual or real items, achieving complete virtualization. Through metal craftsmanship, the artist reestablishes the tangible connection between the body and objects.

  • From Post-Truth to AI-Truth

    From Post-Truth to AI-Truth

    Yanlin Li (CN), Drew Cavicchi (US), Tang-Chen Chang (TW)

    The Oxford Dictionary named “post-truth” as the Word of the Year for 2016, officially ushering in the post-truth era. The truth of post-truth is far more complex than its literal meaning. Who defines fake news? And now, with the rise of AI, texts and images generated by AI are becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish.

  • Leashing the Socket

    Leashing the Socket

    Chun-Huang (TW), Chi-Hung Huang (TW)

    Sockets, nodes of the power grid, both shape our lives and create hidden constraints on our lives. Leashing the Socket aims to challenge the framework of civilization by promoting the autonomy of entities.

  • Symbiosis with Bees

    Symbiosis with Bees

    Fen Cheng (TW)

    As pollinators, the frequency of honeybee wing beats is closely related to nectar production and impacts the flower pollination rate. “Who should defend nature’s symbiotic rights?” This interactive work, Symbiosis with Bees, intends to motivate individuals to reflect on the consequences of their activities and promote action to protect the environment.

  • trans-[aɪ]s

    trans-[aɪ]s

    Tsai-Wen Ling (TW)

    Human vision is often confined by existing rules, unable to consistently transcend apparent realities. The artist, in collaboration with AI, delves into societal issues, crafting trans-species visual narratives, and revealing possible underlying truths through a dual-screen animation.

About the Institution

National Tsing Hua University was established in Beijing in 1911 as “Tsing Hua Academy.” In 1956, it was re-established at its present location in Hsinchu, Taiwan.

NTHU has developed into a comprehensive research university offering a full range of degree programs in science, technology, engineering, humanities, social sciences, management, education and arts. NTHU consistently ranks as a premier university in East Asia and is widely recognized as a leading incubator for future leaders.

Credits

Curator:
Cheng-Yu Pan (TW)
Artist, researcher and assistant professor, Graduate Institute of Art and Technology, NTHU, Taiwan

Co-Curators:
Su-Chu Hsu (TW)
Professor, director of Technology Art Center, NTHU, Taiwan; founding chair of Taiwan Art & Tech. Association

I-Ying Chiang (TW)
Artist, designer and professor, Department of Arts and Design, NTHU, Taiwan

Sponsored by: Spring Foundation (春之文化基金會), Advised by: National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan, R.O.C., Ministry of Education, Taiwan, R.O.C.