Invited by the Department of Visual Arts, Hong Kong Baptist University – Two Special Lectures

Text and images by Chen Chi-Hsiang. The outlines for the two special lectures on March 2 and March 7 are as follows:

The Value of Local Art under Globalization: In the 1980s, French contemporary artist Ben believed: "The next artistic innovation is to assume its own language, culture, and race." He considered "difference" an indispensable element in current art, where the new and different constitute the primary values under globalization. American anthropologists Sapir and Whorf also pointed out: "Behind every language lies a unique logic of thought and cultural values; its users are deeply influenced and dominated by these values."

Artistic manifestations of globalization—local-global and global-local: cross-boundary integration and diverse creative forms and appearances, along with the overall artistic features and character symbols of hybrid synthesis.

A Panorama of Contemporary New Media Art: Contemporary art integrating cross-boundary new media and technology brings infinite aspirations through the charm of digital and new sciences, sparking unprecedented circumstances. Through insights into new sciences and natural phenomena, within audiovisual, lighting, and kinetic environmental landscapes, there is an intent to explore infinite possibilities from new technologies, redefining new artistic forms: Net Art, Video Art, Interactive Art, Post-Internet Art, up to emerging Virtual Reality Art or real-world exploration via new tech, attempting to develop new sensory, audio-visual, and bodily experiences.

Cross-boundary fusion of science and art becomes an all-encompassing domain. Complex reconstruction and constructive elements, numerous objects of new science—sculptures and established spatial or dramatic environmental installations—prompt viewers to contemplate the relationship between humans, nature, and technology.