Unit 3
🔘 Gallery
GALLERY
Ethereal Herbal Invocation (2024)
Eco-print fabrics, Random card dispenser machine, NFC tags, Carpet, Projection mapping
This artwork bridges Eastern and Western divination practices, merging the Taoist tradition of drawing medicinal fortune sticks with the Western tarot card reading, transforming it into a form of cyber divination. It delves into the randomness inherent in fortune-telling and explores alternative healing modalities. In Taoist belief, people visit the Baosheng Emperor's temple to draw medicinal fortune sticks, seeking remedies for physical ailments. In Wiccan practices, herbal magic provides spiritual healing.
The installation creates a techno-religious atmosphere through four herbal AI fairies, each representing one of the classical elements: earth, water, fire, and air. These AI guides reveal the magical properties of herbs, illustrating how these qualities can be harnessed for healing and guidance in both virtual and real-world contexts. Participants engage with the piece by drawing random cards and using their smartphones to scan these cards, thus obtaining personalized divination results.
"Nova Arcane Oracle" highlights the confluence of ancient beliefs and contemporary technology, emphasizing the roles of randomness and synchronicity in modern spiritual practices. This work invites viewers to reflect on the integration of tradition and innovation, offering a unique, immersive experience that transcends cultural boundaries.