ELAINE XUHONG CHEN
01
When the wind blows(2023)
Mixed Media: plumbing pipe and fitting, wooden ruller, servo motor, sensor,
microcontroller chip
Size: Variable
The work titled "When the wind blows" is inspired from an ancient ballad of the Mongolian ethnic group in China. The folk song, from which the artwork derives its title, describes the grazing scenery of Mongolian nomads on the grasslands approximately 1500 years ago. The song depicts the exposure of hidden cattle and sheep in the high grass brought about by the blowing of the wind. While the wind is a natural phenomenon, its metaphorical representation in the human mind transcends the physical realm. This representation signifies the manifestation of an individual's self-awareness, which unearths the limitations and constraints of personal concepts, and clears biases and conventional thinking in cognition.
The Nonexistent Knight(2023)
Mixed Media: found objects, rubber pipe, light stripe, servo motor, microcontroller chip, sensor
Size: 200x100x100cm
The installation work "The Nonexistent Knight" draws inspiration from Italo Calvino's novel of the same title. The novel features the character Algilulf, a virtuous and perfect knight who is said to be non-existent because he is made entirely of armour without a physical body. Algilulf is an Honorable knight and skilled fighter who takes his duties seriously.But underneath the invincible armor ,there is an empty body.
The installation aims to reflect on the complex relationship between human beings and technology in contemporary society. By referencing the character of Algilulf, I highlights the interplay between human existential experience and inside and outside force, illustrating how our world is increasingly defined by these intertwined forces. Through this work, I invite viewers to reflect on the fragility and power of the human condition in an ever-evolving technological landscape.
Listen to the whispers #1(2024)
Mixed Media: wood, plastic sheet, card board, servo motor, microcontroller chip, sensor
Size: 200x200x250cm
Inspired by the intricate interplay between color, shape and movement, the installation transforms the ephemeral beauty of watercolor into a dynamic and immersive experience.
Derived from a watercolor painting, these fragments of colorful shapes are freed from the constraints of a traditional canvas and given new freedoms to dance and sway according to the nuances of sound.
Listen to the whispers #2(2024)
Mixed Media: copper pipe, rubber, cow bell, servo motor, microcontroller chip
Size: 200x100x250cm
The ebb and flow of market forces generates a dynamic tension within the structure of the installation, causing it to tremble and sway in the air . The installation is trying to capture the relation between human experience and economy system that both captivating and disconcerting, inviting viewers to contemplate the profound impact they have on our lifes.
Listen to the whispers #3
(2024)
Mixed Media: wood, found objects, servo motor, microcontroller chip,sensor
Size: 300x100x200cm
The installation elevates everyday objects into graceful performers, guided by robotic arms in a mesmerizing dance in the air. Through bridging art, technology, and human engagement ,the installation create a space for meditation or reflection on technology, machine, and the inherent beauty of the ordinary.