The conception of the work is based largely on prehistoric cave paintings on Sulawesi Island, as well as fossils and remains undiscovered or still undergoing excavation in East Asia, Southeast Asia and other regions. The creation of cave paintings marks the dawn of the intelligent creature discovering images for immersive experience. Species of different lineages can develop similar functions because of being in similar environments — what we call convergent evolution; different ethnicity groups, too, are able to develop consistent cognitive ability in similar spaces. As one of the oldest cave paintings, the painting at Leang-Leang cave had witnessed the beginning of consciousness, which happened across different locations in human history. It illustrates the common ground of humans and how they gradually evolve to share more similarities.
About the Artist
WU Chi-Yu is a multimedia artist whose works include photography, film, and video installation. He delves into the lost and unestablished links among species, environment, and the technology that constructs human civilization, exploring the complex historical geography of Asia and the interdependence of various beings through multiple narratives. He had solo shows: The Epoch of Other Things (TKG+, Taipei, 2023); Atlas of the Closed Worlds (TheCube Project Space, Taipei, 2021). The exhibitions he once participated include: Liquid Love (MoCA, Taipei, 2020); the 12th Shanghai Biennale: Proregress, (Power Station of Art, Shanghai, 2018); Trans-Justice (MoCA, Taipei, 2018); Crush (Para Site, Hong Kong, 2018); Taipei Biennial (Taipei Fine Arts Museum, Taipei, 2016). His films have been screened at Beijing International Short Film Festival (2017); EXiS Festival (Seoul, 2017); Arkipel Festival (Jakarta, 2016) and was a resident artist at Rijksakademie van beeldende kunsten (2014-2015).
Official Website: https://www.wuchiyu.com/