Crazy Universe: Yifan He
Crazy Universe is an interactive web-based program tackling experiences of political disorientation. Visitors may find themselves navigating through a chaotic and overloading space where out-of-context information packed in cropped images, abrupt texts and animated 3D objects swirl and float past them into an unidentifiable blur.
What is your practice?
My practice comprises coding, object-making, editing, and performing. I produce mixed-media installations that hack the common way individuals perform through everyday objects and activities.
What drew you to this artform?
With my practice, I have an urge to disrupt the normalised syntax of global citizens’ lives which are often read as being purposeful, progressive, meaningful, and entertaining. As those ideals are constantly disseminated in consumeristically saturated designs and technologies, I wish to unpack them by actively engaging with the technological tools and ideological languages — push them to an extreme that they become questionable. In presenting web-based programs, video works and installations, I wish to inspire contemplation on the formalities of technological lenses, for today, for most of us, it is through screens we see, hear, and interpret the world.
Who is your art hero?
Among many artists, Yuko Mohri inspired me the most. It was her work that drew my attention to the importance of scrutinising everydayness and dared me to create works that may post as questionably mundane and uncanon as Art.
As restrictions are lifting where will you be heading to first in Margate?
The sandy beach!
Tell us a bit about this place
Throughout the pandemic, I have spent enough time staring at screens, and the sight of some wavy blue would definitely help.🎶
What do you see the artist’s role being in the overall effort to dismantle systemic racism?
Creativity is the tool for artists in this battle to call out and dismantle inequality. Emerging black artists and emerging artists of colours have the ability to critically embedding questions in our works, genuinely sharing perspectives in our works and fictively suggesting alternative ways of living together in our works. And we will keep doing all that until real changes being made.
