As technology continues to redefine the boundaries between the virtual and the real, artist Keyi Liu stands at the forefront of contemporary digital art, challenging traditional conventions by exploring themes such as futurism, digital immortality, and human interaction with an evolving technological landscape. Her hybrid practice, which spans installation, 3D art, and illustration, not only pushes the limits of visual storytelling but also provokes critical reflection on the impact of digital progress on human existence.
HEAVENLY 3D Animation Preview, Keyi Liu, 2023
Keyi Liu’s journey into the art world began in childhood, when she was captivated by her own strange and chaotic dreams. As a young girl, she often imagined a world entirely different from reality, where humans and fantasy creatures coexisted. This fascination with alternative realities became the foundation of her artistic vision. Liu believes that the rigid and repressive education system she experienced before university played a key role in shaping her creativity. The conformity she encountered in school, where individuality was discouraged, led her to reflect deeply on the role of art as a form of expression beyond mere imagery.
For Liu, art is not just a medium of personal expression; it is also a refuge for the soul, a space to convey unspoken emotions and existential reflections through the language of metaphor. Her work is deeply inspired by the natural order, focusing on the social structures and constraints that all living beings, whether plants, animals, or humans, must navigate. Through her art, Liu explores the delicate balance between harmony and conflict within these structures and examines how they shape and constrain life.
One of Liu’s most significant works to date is HEAVENLY, a project that merges VR virtual art with a mystical on-site installation featuring sacrificial stones, candlesticks, and mirrors. HEAVENLY has been exhibited internationally and has received widespread recognition. The project delves into the concept of digital immortality and the potential dangers of virtual existence.
Set in the year 2084, HEAVENLY envisions a world where technology advances so rapidly that people can transfer their lives and entertainment into virtual spaces. In this futuristic society, virtual worship becomes a popular method for healing real world wounds, yet it also brings unforeseen risks. Liu’s project draws inspiration from discussions on “consciousness uploading,” a concept often explored in science fiction that suggests humans could achieve immortality by separating their consciousness from their physical bodies. However, Liu’s work serves as a cautionary tale against idealizing such technology, emphasizing that digital immortality, while seemingly liberating, ultimately imposes new forms of social restriction, transforming old dilemmas into new ones.
The immersive experience of HEAVENLY allows viewers to engage with a digital immortality simulation. Equipped with VR devices, participants enter a virtual sacrificial chamber, where their presence is analyzed to generate a digital avatar.. As viewers drift further from their physical bodies, they journey through the digital afterlife,only to discover that the utopia they envisioned is revealed to be deeply flawed.
Room 79 at Dawn, Keyi Liu Solo Exhibition at New York, 2024
Liu’s artistic uniqueness also stems from her strong illustration skills. Her series The Last Dream explores the conflict between natural life and confined spaces, showcasing her exceptional mastery of color. In this series, she has created an imaginary world where colored glass transforms into dragons, and a lonely mermaid waits for an illusory flower rain. Within this fantasy realm, the order of the world is reconstructed, liberating all creatures from the constraints of established rules. Instead, they enter a system of existence defined by randomness and freedom, symbolizing an inherent longing for liberation in all living beings.
The Last Dream Series, Keyi Liu, 2021
Liu’s transition from traditional illustration to more diverse media, including 3D and installation art, reflects her desire to push the boundaries of artistic experience. Initially drawn to painting for its storytelling potential and visual impact, Liu has expanded her practice to incorporate multi-sensory experiences that fully immerse the viewer in the worlds she creates. While digital painting allows her to instantly translate concepts into reality, her interactive installations and motion graphic works provide audiences with a more profound and tangible engagement.
As an artist, Liu defines success not only as personal growth but also as achieving a balance between multidimensional creative realization and commercial recognition,both in virtual and physical spaces. She believes that art should serve as both a deeply personal journey and a means of contributing to broader social discourse, whether through self-expression or critical engagement with reality.
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