Exhibition looks into the future

Exhibits at Immortal City [Photo provided to China Daily]

The blurring boundary between art and technology — and its influence on people's lives — is being discussed in the creations of young artists around the world. Introducing different technological forms into their work, artists seek to engage their audiences on the subject of human nature, beliefs and values.

Vivid examples of such work are currently on display at an ongoing exhibition, Immortal City, held at the Binhai Art Museum and running until Sept 24. A part of the Tianjin Youth Art Week, the exhibition has been organized by Tianjin-based cultural institution, Ivy Art, as an annual platform to promote young artists since 2004.

On show are more than 150 artworks by artists from both home and abroad, including paintings, photos, videos, interactive installations, immersive works, sound art and work based on biological and digital technologies.

On show are more than 150 artworks by artists from both home and abroad, including paintings, photos, videos, interactive installations, immersive works, sound art and work based on biological and digital technologies. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The exhibition revolves around the belief that by pursuing technological advancements for a better, prolonged life, humans have become so reliant on technology and receiving a constant flow of information that the values of human society seem to be collapsing.

Compared to previous exhibitions, this year's show demonstrates an even more intense combination of art and technology, through which participants explore cross-disciplinary approaches in artistic creation in a bid to diversify the audience's experiences and reflect on the social changes driven by technology, according to Kang Jianfei, one of the exhibition curators and associate professor of Central Academy of Fine Arts.

Sheng Wei, another curator and deputy editor-in-chief of Fine Arts magazine, says that when artists incorporate technology into their work, the goal is not simply to make their works look cool, but ultimately, it is to raise questions about emerging issues that come along with the convenience of technology, such as fast consumerism and over stimulation.

Art by Shao Wenhuan [Photo provided to China Daily]

The exhibition is divided into three sections. The first addresses the tendency of people to spend too much time on fragmented information, shopping and entertainment, which makes people feel anxious and lost.

Works on display in the second part look back at the set of beliefs once held dear by people living centuries ago, and attempt to explore whether or not these values could solve some of today's societal ills.

The third section offers possible solutions for a future system in which humans find a balance with technology, economic development and cultural preservation.

On show are more than 150 artworks by artists from both home and abroad, including paintings, photos, videos, interactive installations, immersive works, sound art and work based on biological and digital technologies. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Art by Xu Ziwei [Photo provided to China Daily]

Art by Zhang Quan [Photo provided to China Daily]

Art by Zhu Xi [Photo provided to China Daily]

Art by Zhang Zhaoying [Photo provided to China Daily]