Bio

I currently teach computer art and animation as an Associate Professor in College of Visual and Performaning Arts at Syracuse University. I received a M.F.A. in Computer Graphics from Syracuse University in New York; and a B.S. in Industrial Design from Beijing Institute of Technology, China. I also studied Cinematography at Beijing Film Academy. I have worked professionally in the fields of computer animation, film special effects, web design and user interface design in China and the United States.

My artwork and research interests include experimental animation, visual music, artistic data visualization, interactive installations, digital performance and virtual reality. My recent work has been appeared at: ISEA Juried Exhibition; Ars Electronica Animation Festival; IEEE VIS ArtsProgram; SIGGRAPH & SIGGRAPH Asia Art Gallery; ISEA; Ars Electronica;Museum of Contemporary Art, Italy; Los Angeles Center for Digital Art, USA;Expressive 2015, CAe+SBIM+NPAR, Istanbul, Turkey; FILE– Electronic LanguageInternational Festival, Brazil; Techfest -Technical Arts Exhibition, India;Colloquium culture and digitization, Switzerland; CYNETart, Germany;International Digital Art Exhibition, China; Boston Cyberarts Festival, USA.

Artist Statement

My recent work focuses on the visual dialogues created during the intersections between human and computer through visualization, performance and interactive installation. Typically produced in a generative approach working with computer programs, the visuals in my work range from inventive non-representational drawing to controlled constructions with highly studied shape, color and texture in 3D space. In the process of making, I explore the impact of artistic intention and influence on the final outcome, while trying to find the balance between artistic intervention and the computer program’s autonomy as well as the randomness and predictability contributing to each particular project.

I usually start from investigating the suitable presentation forms for the information that the work needs to present, for instance, a dancer’s movement based on calligraphy and poem, a music piece about falling rain, or data on social issues such as crime rate statistics. My work has taken a variety of forms of expression including experimental animation, visual music, artistic data visualization, digital images, interactive installations, and virtual reality. They are in general produced by preset instructions or procedural rules that dictate the forms and structures they might take.  And they may be viewed as visual manifestation of the information processing procedures embedded in today's way of life.

I draw my inspiration from my personal experience and culture background. Grown up in Confucius’ hometown, educated in both eastern and western schools, worked in the professional field (as an animator and designer) and the academia (as an educator and practicing artist), I often observe a hybrid quality in my work that reflects those experiences. Visually, my creative practice is influenced by minimalism and traditional oriental artwork. To both, balance and contrast of color, space, texture, as well as light are essential means to improve visual aesthetics.

Teaching Philosophy

My goal in teaching is to foster critical and creative thinking, expand learning skills and prepare students to function effectively in an information economy. The improvement of students’ conceptual skills and the development of their technical abilities are complementary, and both contribute to the success of their artistic creations. Through my courses, I help students to understand the unlimited possibilities that reside in digital art as a young medium, and to seize the unique opportunities to possibly influence its future course. In the processes of arriving at their own works, students are encouraged to be directly responsive to their specific aesthetics and culture background, understanding themselves and their work through confronting technical difficulties, individual concepts, and viewpoints. I structure my classes recognizing the diverse preferred learning styles. Students learn not only various packages and software in class, but also to improve their learning skills, which are essential to establish themselves as contemporary artists utilizing the ever-changing digital media.