An interview taken from our new digital issue. In the ever-evolving landscape of digital art, it is a rare spectacle to find an artist who not only masters the medium but transcends it, challenging the very fabric of traditional and contemporary artistry. YuYu, an enigmatic force in the digital art scene, is such an artist—playing in his league, he crafts thought-provoking narratives that push the boundaries of cultural norms and societal expectations.

As we unveil our latest digital issue, we’re honoured to present an exclusive interview with YuYu, the visionary who has been captivating the international art community with his radical reinterpretations and profound expressions. Join us in exploring the depths of his artistic journey, where each piece is a confluence of past and present, a rebellion against the status quo, and a beacon of inclusion and diversity. With candid revelations and insights into his process, YuYu invites us into his world—a world where blockchain technology carves out new possibilities for creators and where every frame pulses with the heartbeat of progress.

YuYu: Pioneering Artistry in the Digital Realm

Step into the vanguard of digital innovation and cultural conversation with YuYu, whose work not only reflects his unique identity but also illuminates the path for future creators. This interview is an expedition into the mind of a trailblazer, an invitation to witness the power of art in shaping the world of tomorrow.

YuYu, how did you initially become involved in the digital art scene and what drew you to the medium?

My involvement began without being fully aware of what I was doing. As a millennial, I grew up surrounded by digital art. Of course digital art in the 90s and 00s was not the same as it is today but it was there. Growing up in both the real and virtual worlds, I feel our entire generation started blurring the lines between them. We were more inclined to welcome digitally enhanced art practices and explore how those tools could be beneficial to our practices.

My true connection with digital art creation began during my architecture studies back in Taiwan. The foundations I built during those years helped me to transcend art and explore my narratives later on. There is a sense of complete freedom in digital art, explorations that were not possible a few decades ago. I think that was what initially attracted me to the scene.

Your art often reinterprets Western cultural masterpieces with a contemporary twist. Can you share more about your process for selecting and deconstructing these historical works?

It all began coincidentally. When I first moved to Europe back in 2014 there was a feeling of not belonging that I was unable to shake off. Even though in many aspects I felt very welcomed, the lack of representation in public spaces bothered me. I began modelling for photographers in an attempt to put myself out there and show the world the beauty of diversity, only to realize how their narratives were not always aligned with what I needed to express. To help me navigate feelings of confusion and frustration, I decided to act and create my own stories instead. Using a borrowed camera and lights, I attempted to take self-portraits in my living room. Having had 0 technical background in photography and lighting techniques, I used classical paintings as a guide. 

I have always been extremely passionate about classical works of the Western art canon. Artworks from the neo-classical and baroque periods had mastered the art of generating emotions through lighting and dramaturgy. In many ways I see them as the predecessors of photography and cinema, encapsulating complicated and often dark narratives while maintaining an unparalleled sense of beauty. Still, something wasn’t enough. Even though from a technical standpoint those works were undeniable masterpieces, the lack of diversity was extremely apparent. “What would happen if we switched the narratives? If we used established imagery of our past to discuss topics of our present?” I asked myself. This is more or less how the idea of ‘infiltrating’ and altering the past became a practice I still explore today.

Now my process of creation is less about deconstructing the old and more about re-constructing its narrative to reflect contemporary issues of our society. Drawing inspiration from my own experiences as a Queer Asian navigating life in the West, I attempt to unravel unspoken social norms and values, challenging the very essence of Western definitions of culture.

As an artist deeply involved in Web3, how do you believe blockchain technology is reshaping the art landscape, especially for digital creators?

Blockchain is such a fascinating and multifaceted technology. The digital art side of it is only a tiny fraction of all the applications it enables. Regardless, and even though following the turbulence of 2022 the on-chain art market is facing challenges, I am a strong admirer of the ethos it entails. For many creators, especially digital natives, the traditional art canon has been an exclusive and highly alienating industry. With the advent of Web3 and NFTs in 2020 and 2021 we experienced, as people tend to call, a ‘democratization’ of the industry. I don’t find this term exact. Web3 remains heavily attached to Web2 platforms and practices. Large social media followings reflect good sales, pushing creators into an endless act of balancing between developing their visions and feeding what the algorithms want. It might have allowed a rise in direct relationships between collectors and creators but that is not too different from what social media marketing and influencers did to traditional marketing a decade ago. The ways of communication are changing rapidly and we see adjustments in almost every facet of society.

 

Where blockchain becomes particularly interesting in terms of digital art, is that it provides the foundation for digital ownership, a concept that has long existed but was impossible to implement. Through encryption and the blockchain, digital assets provide a unique, verifiable, and immutable record of ownership, granting individuals unprecedented control and freedom over their digital possessions. There is a growing interest in this technology from large cultural institutions across the globe and I am sure we will witness big shifts in how audiences perceive digital art in the years to follow.

Read the full interview here:

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