The four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter alternate, and we arrange our lives in an orderly manner following the natural rhythms, with the wisdom of phenology subtly influencing everyone. On September 24, the Times Art Museum opened the exhibition "Encoding Phenology-Cosmic Rhythms of Digital and Biological Intertwining", featuring sculptural works, VR interactive installations, videos, and other multimedia works by new media artists from six countries. The aim is to interpret the pulsating life intertwining of the digital and biological worlds using the observation method of phenology through technology-based art pieces.
Phenology refers to natural phenomena that occur in nature as a result of environmental influences (climate, hydrology, soil) on an annual cycle. The exhibition, co-curated by the Times Art Museum and curator Xing Dan, who focuses on the "art + technology" direction, showcases works by 15 artists/groups, with four pieces making their debut in China.
The exhibition is divided into three units: "Algorithmic Rhythms", "Code Objects", and "Data Miracles", starting from the emergence of new time perceptions from cosmic rhythmic changes and then exploring the relationship between material objects and digital objects. In the documentary installation work "Space Perpetual Agriculture", visitors can boldly imagine the appearance of space agriculture and contemplate whether humans can pursue an eternal agricultural model in space.
Visitors can also interact with the artworks using their smartphones. Swiss artist Mark Lee's "Evolution Speculation, Prototype 1" combines mobile applications with network devices, inviting audiences to create new biological variations, prompting deep reflections on future biodiversity. The artist stated during the opening ceremony, "In today's technological progress, we should approach nature with a more humble attitude to achieve harmonious coexistence between humans and nature."
Cao Shuyi's 3D printed resin sculpture "Inherent Affinity" may astonish visitors with life transcending time and space. The work presents the reverse metamorphosis of invertebrates, stalactites composed of microbial mucus, insect eggs laid in mucus stones, multi-species symbiotic fungi and their metabolic products. The artist proposes a logic beyond human-centrism to understand our planet.
The "Encoding Phenology" exhibition is an innovative attempt at integrating art and technology. Liu Weiwei, the executive director of the Times Art Museum, stated, "The combination of art and technology is not just using technical means as a medium for artistic creation but also expanding the boundaries of art, enabling contemporary art to truly participate in the process of technological and era development, injecting humanistic thinking and critical reflection into scientific development."
The exhibition is set to run until November 17.
Translator: FENG Haoxuan
Reviewer: BAI Jing
