10 Questions with Tairan Hao

Tairan Hao (b. 1998), currently residing in New York, NY, is a new media artist. He received his BFA from California College of the Arts and MFA from the University of Pennsylvania. Hao's art is influenced by the relationship between the virtual and the real world, particularly the integration of elements from virtual gaming with real-world technology. His artistic philosophy focuses on exploring the relationship between personal identity and socio-cultural dynamics, especially against the backdrop of technological advancement. His works encompass interactive installations, artificial intelligence, and software and hardware programming, creating mechanical pieces, animation, and video works. Hao's art has been featured in solo exhibitions at the Beijing Today Art Museum, group exhibitions at the Qintai Art Museum (Wuhan Biennale), Williamsburg Art and Historical Center (Brooklyn), and Charles Addams Gallery at Penn (Philadelphia).

www.tairanhao.studio | @tyhao629

ARTIST STATEMENT

Hao's affinity for digital gaming ignited a fervor for probing the intricacies between the virtual and real realms, as well as contemplating the impending influences of technology on society and our global future. He weaves these thoughts into his art, bridging them with technological advancements. His work serves as an exploration and a dialogue, delving into the complexities of identity within the shifting landscapes of politics, culture, and technology. His work, rooted in personal experiences of conformity, offers a lens to examine the individual's place among the collectivism of society. Hao continues to leverage new-media art as a transformative medium, crafting animation, video, and interactive installations that embody the gesture of sociopolitical discourse, inviting the audience not just to witness but to participate and shape the narrative. This dynamic interplay between the art, the space and technology it inhabits, and the audience reflects Hao's investigation to articulate the interwoven narratives of control, freedom, and identity—crafting experiences that resonate with the silent voices seeking to be heard in a world of constant change.

Mission on Mars, Sound Interactive Installation, 227.5 x 244.5 x 143.7 inches, 2022 © Tairan Hao

INTERVIEW

Tell us a bit more about yourself. How are you, and how did you develop into the artist you are today?

I am Tairan Hao, originally from Beijing, China, and my journey as an artist has been deeply intertwined with my fascination for technology and gaming. The genesis of my current artworks and projects can be traced back to my passion for digital and video gaming - entertainment through the implementation of technology. This interest has led me to delve into the relationship between the virtual and real worlds and ponder the future implications of technology on society at large. These reflections are crucial to my work today, allowing me to blend my concept and creative vision with cutting-edge technological advancements and shaping the artist I am today.

You are still very young, but you already have an interesting career. What prompted you to follow this path? And how did you get interested in making art in the first place?

My journey into contemporary art started back in middle school when I first discovered my passion for painting. Initially, I was simply captivated by the idea of deconstructing concepts from the video games I played and transforming them into images, paintings, and video works. This early interest laid the foundation for my artistic path. As I pursued my undergraduate degree in Interaction Design at the California College of the Arts, I was introduced to a diverse range of technology-related mediums and techniques, such as AI, Wekinator, Arduino, Touchdesigner, and Processing. This exposure marked a significant shift in my artistic practice, moving from traditional mediums such as painting and photography to new media. I found myself increasingly drawn to fields like interactive installations, computer graphics, animations, and AI-based artworks, which have shaped my career into what it is today.

Holy Ziggs, Sculpture, 46 x 21 x 47.2 inches, 2021 © Tairan Hao

You currently reside in New York, after studying in California and Pennsylvania. How is New York helping you develop further into your practice?

Living in New York, after my educational experiences in California and Pennsylvania, has been a pivotal chapter in my artistic development. The learnings and skill refinement I gained in California and Pennsylvania were crucial in shaping my understanding of contemporary art. However, choosing New York as my base was a deliberate decision. This city's unique status as a melting pot of diverse cultures and individuals from across the globe offers me endless inspiration and opportunity for my art career. Having the chance to interact with a variety of people, network with galleries, and connect with industry professionals in New York is instrumental in advancing my career and expanding my artistic horizons.

Speaking of your work, you employ different mediums and techniques, all strictly related to new technologies like AI. What inspired you or got you interested in these technologies? And how are you applying them to your work?

My fascination with new technologies like AI is rooted in the belief that technological mediums can enhance artistic language and create more tangible interactions between art and its audience, just like games. I'm particularly interested in the audience experience when seeing artworks and strive to create works that establish a connection with society, daily life, and, essentially, everything around us. The key question for me is understanding the nature of these relationships and how to effectively establish them. I see technology as a potential bridge to build these connections. In my work, I apply technology in two primary ways: as a method to materialize my concepts, utilizing them as tools just like brush and clay for paintings and sculptures: for example, I sometimes use 3D printing and AI content generators to deconstruct my concept. In addition, sometimes, I include technology in my work as the end demonstration itself, where technology facilitates direct interaction between my artwork and viewers.

This is a field that is evolving very rapidly. How do you keep up with the latest trends and advancements?

As an artist who works on new media, my approach differs from traditional art practices, primarily due to the emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration. Throughout history, major innovations have emerged from the cross-pollination of different fields. Leonardo da Vinci's conceptualization of the helicopter is an example of this phenomenon. In today's information age, the ability to forge connections across diverse disciplines — be it arts, sciences, humanities, or technology — is crucial for fostering innovation, imagination, and genius. To stay abreast of the latest trends and advancements, I actively engage in dialogues with experts from various fields, including technologists, scientists, and other interdisciplinary professionals. These interactions not only keep me updated on emerging technologies but also inspire new perspectives and ideas in my artwork.

Hello, Interactive Installation, 16 x 16 x 16 inches © Tairan Hao

Ultimately, why did you choose this route over more traditional techniques? What does it help you communicate?

On the one hand, through technological processes like digital sculpting and 3D printing, my works explore the new possibilities of what can be crafted with emerging technologies together with traditional methods of hand-crafting approaches, as well as the transformative power that the technology's ability to blur the materiality boundaries of what we perceive as real and artificial. On the other hand, my works use the traditional materials that we can find every day in life and disassemble and reconstruct them with technologies to deconstruct the concept of how people's interactions with daily necessities are influenced by the power of technology and the political manipulation of information. I aspire to mirror our contemporary struggles and to foster a space for introspection. In this space, each viewer is invited to recalibrate, reevaluate, and perhaps rediscover their own voice amidst the cacophony.

On a broader level, what are the main themes behind your work? And what would you like the viewers to read in your work?

The main themes behind my works are rooted in the exploration of identity, the interplay between technology and society, and the tension between individuality and collective norms. My work often reflects on the dynamics of cultural and political influences, particularly how they shape personal and collective identities. Another central theme is the relationship between the virtual and the real, influenced by my passion for gaming. I investigate how these two realms intersect and affect our perception of reality and the future. This exploration extends to contemplating the role of technology in shaping societal norms and individual consciousness. In terms of what I want viewers to glean from my work, it's a sense of introspection and a challenge to their perceptions. I aim to prompt viewers to contemplate the impact of external forces on their own identity and beliefs. I aspire to foster a dialogue about the balance between embracing technological advancements and preserving our intrinsic human values, hoping to evoke a deeper understanding of the rapidly evolving world around us.

Is there anything else you would like to experiment with, both in terms of themes or techniques?

Lately, I'm delving into the realms of VR and AR, experimenting with how these technologies can enhance the viewer's experience. Also, I'm particularly intrigued by the integration of animation and projection, exploring their spatial dynamics in relation to the audience. This technological exploration is not just about the medium itself but about creating immersive environments that engage the audience in a multi-sensory experience. In terms of thematic exploration, I'm keen to build upon my past work that reflects on my formative years. Growing up, I grappled with the heavy influence of collective cultural expectations in my native hometown. This experience often conflicted with my own creative instincts and desire for individual expression. I plan to delve deeper into this theme, examining the complex interplay between societal norms and personal identity.

Adaption, 5 Channel Animation: Archived live footage clips - Japan releasing radioactive water from Fukushima into Pacific Ocean on August 24, 2023, and Computer graphics animation indefinite looping, 2023 © Tairan Hao

What are you working on now? Any new project you would like to share with us?

In my forthcoming art project, I aim to deepen the exploration of the intricate relationship between collectivism and individualism, the social and the solitary. My work will employ new media and technology mediums to not just reflect the world but to actively involve the audience in its re-creation, which captures the essence of this interaction. The core idea of the project is to build an interactive spatial installation where participants contribute to a living tapestry that narrates the flow of societal dynamics. Through response from the sensors in the space, the audience will become integral to the work, their movements and decisions shaping a visual and auditory narrative that maps the political and social landscape we navigate. This is not art as a one-way mirror but as a two-way portal, where the viewer steps through to become part of the piece, influencing and being influenced. The installation seeks to make tangible the often-invisible forces of political and social influence. By engaging with the piece, participants will see the immediate impact of their actions represented in a digital environment, prompting reflection on how these forces shape our daily lives.

And lastly, as we are beginning a new year, what are your plans for 2024?

In 2024, my focus will be on deepening the integration of art, technology, and everyday life. I aim to explore the concept of new media art as a derivative product accessible to the public. Additionally, my explorations will go beyond just visual and sound interactions; I plan to delve into the diverse aspects of the nervous system, including emotions and sensations like pain. This approach will enable me to develop new artistic expressions that transcend traditional forms, bringing art from the physical into the virtual realm. By doing so, I hope to create more impactful interactions with the audience, enhancing the functional and experiential aspects of my work and enriching people's lives through the implementation of new media arts.

Artist’s Talk

Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.

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