Propagation

2023 – 2024

Entering the series Propagation is like delving into the Petri Dish Aesthetics Compendium, where data visualization conjures forms that echo the microscopic world’s ceaseless reproduction: we catch a glimpse of entities—“bacilli”—typically unveiled only by the microscope, drifting as wraiths, trailing their translucent, elongated bodies through the ethereal medium. In the nascent algorithmic art of the artist Wang Yuyang, an enigmatic trace emerged: it bore the semblance of microorganisms and exhibited a three-dimensional architecture, piquing his curiosity. This trace, a serendipitous byproduct of computational processes, and its genesis remained shrouded in mystery. Wang Yuyang endeavored to replicate its genesis but encountered the challenge of capturing its innate vitality, reminiscent of creatures gliding effortlessly through the water. “Today, we have returned not only to the realm of nature or the concealed but also to the domain of metaphysics”, said Boris Groys. This uncharted territory inspired Wang Yuyang to actively reproduce this trace, permitting it to flourish and expand across the canvas, culminating in this series of works. These minuscule creatures appear to possess their volition, multiplying autonomously akin to cellular division, crafting a microcosm veiled from human scrutiny in an almost preternatural fashion. Wang Yuyang articulates this vitality as dancing on its own: “Like earthworms, even if their bodies are severed, each segment seems to regenerate and grow independently.” This process aligns with Gilbert Simondon’s definition of society: social networks harness big data and deep learning to excavate data as if it were a retention, while also depending on algorithms to fabricate automated, artificial protention, that is, modalized behavior. As for the implications of this modalized propagation, Wang Yuyang offers no definitive answer; instead, he presents further evolutionary specimens in his Plants series.

Propagation001
Type: Painting
Materials:, digital print, PMMA
Dimensions: 230cm(l) × 160cm(w)

Propagation002
Type: Painting
Materials:, digital print, PMMA
Dimensions: 230cm(l) × 160cm(w)

Propagation003
Type: Painting
Materials:, digital print, PMMA
Dimensions: 170cm(l) × 120cm(w)

Propagation005
Type: Painting
Materials:, digital print, PMMA
Dimensions: 170cm(l) × 120cm(w)

Propagation006
Type: Painting
Materials:, digital print, PMMA
Dimensions: 170cm(l) × 120cm(w)