Unit 3
🔘 Gallery 🔘 Inspiration 🔘 Research 🔘 Process
GALLERY
Nova Arcane Oracle, 2024, Overview of the installation for the Summer Show
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.
"Nova Arcane Oracle" projection video, 2024
This video weaves together multiple elements to create a profound atmosphere within the "Nova Arcane Oracle" installation. The four herbal deities—Earth, Water, Fire, and Air—symbolize the essential elements of nature, each embodying unique qualities that guide the viewer into an experience both mystical and sacred. Their presence evokes a sense of reverence, as though engaging in a timeless conversation.
The text in the video carries ancient wisdom while blending with futuristic aesthetics, presented as code poetry that fuses traditional herbal knowledge with modern perception. The healing properties and mystical symbols of the herbs are displayed through poetic code, offering viewers a personalized divination experience. The text aligns like code, appearing and disappearing with a mysterious randomness, as if deciphering the hidden laws of the universe.
Each segment of text conveys not only the healing energy and symbolic significance of the herbs but also spiritual guidance through upright and reversed interpretations, reflecting the uncertainty and chance inherent in divination. The format of code poetry allows viewers to experience the harmony between the digital and natural realms, embarking on a journey that feels both ancient and modern. This poetic expression invites viewers into introspection, finding personal insight within the flickering symbols and words.
Projecting Film onto Eco-Printed Fabric
In this installation, the film is projected onto eco-printed fabric, using this natural material as a projection surface to create a seamless blend between the imagery and the organic textures of the fabric. The delicate patterns of the eco-printed textile merge with the projected visuals, giving the impression that the images are emerging directly from nature itself, offering viewers an immersive experience that feels like stepping into a mystical realm. This method of projection further reinforces the theme of the work: the intersection of nature and technology, tradition and modernity. It creates a unique atmosphere for the installation, harmonizing art and nature.
introduction of divination
The device is crafted from lightweight clay, adorned with crystal accents, and spray-painted silver to enhance its aesthetic and symbolic meaning. The natural texture of the clay symbolizes connection and grounding, while the crystal decorations represent clarity, healing, and the flow of energy, adding a layer of mystique to the piece. The silver paint not only imparts a futuristic quality but also symbolizes the elevation of spirituality and wisdom, reflecting the fusion of ancient knowledge with modern technology. Together, these materials and colors imbue the device with a profound essence, allowing viewers to experience a harmonious blend of nature and technology, the physical and the spiritual, guiding them on a journey of self-discovery.
By turning the knob on the device, participants draw a card, and the machine dispenses a card embedded with an NFC chip. They can then scan this card with their smartphone to access the divination website, where they receive a randomly generated reading. This interactive experience not only adds an element of engagement but also infuses the encounter with a mysterious sense of randomness, allowing participants to explore personalized guidance through digital media. This blend of modern technology with traditional divination deepens the installation’s theme, offering viewers a unique journey that transcends the boundaries of virtual and real worlds.
"Nova Arcane Oracle" interactive website
An interactive website offers a detailed herbal divination experience, guiding viewers into a world rich with symbolic meaning. The site showcases eight herbal cards, each representing one of the four elements: Earth, Water, Fire, and Air. Each card provides a unique interpretation based on its upright or reversed position, deeply conveying its healing properties and symbolic significance. Additionally, each card includes affirmations of encouragement and insight, offering personalized guidance that inspires viewers to explore the spiritual connections between herbs and elements. This digital interactive experience beautifully combines the mystique of traditional rituals with modern technology, inviting viewers to find inspiration and healing within a virtual space. The website's homepage also includes a disclaimer about the divination experience, encouraging viewers to engage with it thoughtfully.