Cyber JiangHu, 2020-ongoing, VR GameArt, Version: 1.1.1 [Technical Support: Dang Yongkang]

Cyber JiangHu is a VR GameArt experience. In this work, the artist establishes a speculative future world, using an immersive virtual interactive environment as a "mirror apparatus" that influences the participant's cognitive processes to explore its impact on emotions and perceptions at various stages. Inspired by Luce Irigaray's concept of "mimesis," the artist emphasises the use of"active superficiality"as a method to highlight the narrative power of "cuteness" within minor aesthetics. The work also heavily utilises techno-pink and fuzzy textures, creating a sensory conflict with the audience's expectations of future imaginaries within the digital virtual system. Additionally,Cyber JiangHu has no overarching narrative; participants form their narratives and perceptions of identity and gender by gathering fragmented information and interacting with the coding system in the process of engagement and negotiation. All the voices, as well as some 3D models and textures in the work, are AI-generated. Throughout this performative worlding process, every "intra-action" (Karen Barad, 2006, p.185) between human and non-living entities is crucial for knowledge-making and remaking.

https://hanyajuan.org/cyber-jiang-hu/