Every city possesses unique cultural characteristics that serve as distinctive symbols of their identities, shaping different visual appearances and atmospheres. I'm currently intrigued by exploring the sensory experiences brought about by diverse urban cultural features, perceiving the purity of various cultural spirits, and understanding the social aspects formed through the connection of human communities.
'The Portrait' is a collection of multi-layered visual artworks created with the support of AI technology, transforming my personal experiences from a trip to Kyoto into a contemporary cityscape that explores the hidden cultural heritage's paradoxes and resulting dualities. Amid Kyoto's rich history and cultural legacy, the spirit of traditional Japanese aesthetics known as "Wabi-Sabi" is retained, encompassing subtle gray tones, simplicity, ethereality, and an appreciation for the beauty of imperfection. However, this traditional aesthetic ethos clashes with the contemporary pursuit of material pleasures, perfect craftsmanship, and the thrill of speed, giving rise to a cultural paradox. Despite varying life experiences among different groups in Kyoto, the balance between "Wabi-Sabi" and material indulgence may differ, yet this paradoxical nature provides a unique platform for dialogue among these diverse groups. This dual nature of cultural paradox also manifests in various forms within the lives of the Japanese people, akin to how American cultural anthropologist Ruth Benedict once used the metaphor of chrysanthemums and swords to discuss this distinct Japanese cultural feature.
Starting from digital illustration drawing, I've documented the visual symbols of cultural paradox observed during my travels in Kyoto. With the assistance of artificial intelligence ChatGPT and Midjourney, having delved into potential issues of content imbalance arising from their subjective descriptions in response to inputs, my aim is to capture the essence of Kyoto's "Wabi-Sabi" and construct a duality in its urban cultural identity. After numerous iterations of textual and visual exchanges, I have ultimately produced two digital images, each encompassing 84 unique patterns with diverse organic structures and dynamic moving directions, yet maintaining continuity in color and lightness.
