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.
