The following are the works of 18 winning artists introduced this time.

——Nominee Awards——

《Seeking the Source and New Realm》

Dai Yanliang, Gao Fansong, Sun Yuanzheng, Zhou Yufan

Works Introduction:

Chinese gardens are not only physical spaces, but also spiritual "landscapes", which carry the Chinese people's profound understanding of nature and life. The work hopes to "create" the tranquility and beauty of harmonious coexistence with nature in the hearts of modern people. Through the medium of digital art, Chinese garden spatialism, landscape geometric constructivism, and modern abstractionism are blended with each other; abstract geometric lines create a visual experience of both movement and stillness, and each scene reflects the harmonious unity of nature and soul represented by Chinese gardens. Viewers can feel the beauty of nature and inner tranquility, while also conveying Hangzhou's profound cultural heritage and artistic aesthetics to the world.

《MATRIX》

Chen Ruiqi, Gao Yuan

Works Introduction:

"MATRIX" is a cutting-edge digital imaging experimental work, inspired by the concept of the Matrix in The Matrix. It uses the parametric fractal technology of UE5 (Unreal Engine 5) to explore the intertwined boundaries of consciousness and digital space. Through sophisticated algorithm design, the work concretizes abstract ideology into intricate fractal structures, constructing a digital universe that is both illusory and real. The audience will experience the infinite possibilities of the flow of consciousness and the unique charm of fractal aesthetics in a visual feast of light and shadow. "The Matrix of Consciousness" aims to challenge traditional visual expression, broaden the boundaries of digital art, and lead the audience to think deeply about the future relationship between technology and consciousness.

《The drunken beauty》

Baishui Art Studio

Works Introduction:

The work combines digital art with Peking Opera performance art and Mr. Mei Lanfang's classic aria "The Drunken Concubine". The body movements and foot steps in Peking Opera performances are digitally processed. At the same time, we hope to use this competition to showcase our national quintessence to the world through contemporary digital art forms and promote our national cultural treasures.

《Objects》

Baishui Art Studio

Works Introduction:

"The Silk Road connects the world, and civilization shines through the ages"

"Silk" and "Jade Cong" are the most culturally rich heritage objects in Hangzhou, so the work "Objects" selected these two objects as the performance content of the works for the Hangzhou exhibition venue. Through the processing of digital art, silk and jade cong are combined together to show the charm of "objects" between movement and stillness.

《Algorithm guesses jellyfish - Urban Aquarium》

Much More

 Works Introduction:

In the context of data space and virtual metaverse, the work analyzes the basic structural relationship of jellyfish and modularizes its structure. Using algorithmic technology, data such as images and text are converted into variables that drive the generation of data-guessing jellyfish, and virtual jellyfish generated by data control emerge.

On the screen, snorkeling electronic data jellyfish stretch and swim. These digital creatures given "life" by algorithms transform into infinite possibilities.

The work attempts to explore urban culture and social ecology from the artistic perspective of guessing creatures. Through the transformation and reproduction of data, we not only see the physical form of the city, but also the vitality and vigor behind it. We hope to trigger the audience's thinking about the relationship between urban development, technology and nature, and explore how data can give cities new meaning and life in the digital age.

《Too Many Birds in One Tree》

Roger Ng Wei Lun

 Works Introduction:

As Katherine Hayles mentioned in her ‘How We Became Posthuman’, if the body is “the original prosthesis” by which we “learn to manipulate” our environment, then this  elemental aspect of human being has merely been extended by recent technological modes of human evolution – the cybernetic, virtual, computer simulated etc; secondly,  that the “essential function” of all life, even “the great cosmos itself,” is “processing information”. The cosmos, in all its vast complexity, is just a grand processor of data. This video work interrogates mankind’s audacious drive to mirror and perhaps even control the  universe's complexity. Drawing inspiration from the ancient cosmology of the Dayak Ngayu, where the first mountain rises up to the clouds; and from there, the Tree of Life  appears, the piece explores how the digital realm connects all forms of existence—humans, plants, rocks—in a vast network of information. The Tree of Life, reimagined in digital form, symbolizes the interconnectedness of all entities within our realm. It serves as a conduit between humanity and the cosmos,  echoing ancient concepts of unity and kinship with all forms of life in the primordial past.  However, the work also addresses a critical flaw: an overload of information. The Tree, while representing the interconnectedness of life, becomes overwhelmed by an  excess of data—symbolized by celestial birds that proliferate and disrupt the system. This data overload shatters the system's equilibrium, resulting in cascading failures  and systemic collapse. Through the narrative intertwined with myth, nature, and data, ‘Too Many Birds in One Tree’ reflects on the consequences of an imbalanced digital ecosystem. It provokes a  dialogue about our relationship with nature in the digital age and challenges us to consider whether our technological advancements can truly address the pressing issues of  our planetary destiny. It echoes the ancient wisdom that, despite our technological progress, we remain fundamentally intertwined with the cosmos and all life forms, urging  us to ponder our place within this grand, interconnected web. […In the ancient cosmology of Dayak Ngayu, Mountains, Hornbills, Tree of Life, Water Serpent Canoe, Man and Woman emerge one from the other, to disappear in the  destruction in which the two birds, indulge.…]

《The Fall of Icarus》

 Wu Xueqian, Gao Yuan

 Works Introduction:

The Fall of Icarus is an experimental digital video work that combines classical and generative art, inspired by the tragedy of Icarus's flight and loss in Greek mythology. The work uses AI video generation technology combined with post-processing, and uses melting and particle effects to reproduce the moment when Icarus' wings were melted by the sun and fell into the sea. The music and vision with a descending structure form a combination of sound and picture. It is a modern interpretation of the ancient legend and an exploration of the combination of digital art and artificial intelligence technology.

《Living with Butterflies》

Cai Shiguang

《Look Away》

Umut Ekinci、Lucas Garancher

 Works Introduction:

This project addresses humanity's tendency to flee from problems rather than solve them, through a visually compelling narrative. The journey of an astronaut is intricately connected with a bird, symbolizing the link between human behavior and nature. The colors used in the animation (orange and blue) represent the degradation of our world and the life forms that still maintain balance. The storyline begins with the discovery of a stunning yet seemingly uninhabited landscape. The introduction of a bird sets the stage, followed by a transition to the main character, the astronaut. This journey symbolizes humanity's flight towards a seemingly better world. However, it later becomes clear that this better world doesn't exist because we are already on it, reinforcing the concept through a looping storyline. It examines humanity's tendency to flee from problems rather than confront them, through the theme of climate change. In the end, the astronaut returns to a similar planet, perhaps the same one, ready to face the same fate. Will we continue to look away, or finally face the challenges before us?

《Magical Creatures》

Li Lin, Lampo Leong, Yanxiu Zhao

 Works Introduction:

As members of the vast array of creatures in the universe, humans must learn to understand and appreciate both the microscopic and macroscopic worlds.  We share our natural resources and coexist peacefully with other visible and invisible beings, our neighbors and friends. Leveraging the rich imagination and boundless creativity of artificial intelligence, Magical Creatures reveals fascinating and familiar yet non-virtual creatures around us, inspiring humanity to continuously explore our environment and the space we inhabit.

《Game of Throwns》

Huseyn Huseynbayli、Narmin Zeynalli

《Archive》

Xu Jiayi, Chen Haolong, Jiang Xiaoyi

 Works Introduction:

"Time is one dimension of visible coordinates", or perhaps, "time has three dimensions, just like space is three-dimensional".

In 3D modeling software, when you enter the interface, the 3D coordinate system will establish the origin, waiting for you to debug and manipulate its dimensions; at the same time, you can also use the anchor tool in the 2D image processing software to try to calibrate the world. Therefore, "there are infinite worlds and infinite futures".

《The anatomy of a glacier》

Xie Yilin, Zhang Zifeng, Liu Yifu

 Works Introduction:

China's glaciers are showing an accelerating retreat trend, and some glaciers have entered a life countdown state. As the history book of the earth, the memories carried by glaciers are also melting. The dynamic visual part of this work conducts a visual exploration under the homogeneous mapping relationship between glacier ecological changes and human pathological changes. Through a speculative perspective, four typical glaciers in China are animated and visualized, and a fictional anatomical diagnosis of the digital life of glaciers in the future is fictionalized. The CG part of this work is based on the actual glacier scientific research and environmental status, and fictionalizes a near-future worldview, giving glaciers life, and envisioning that the earth's environment has become worse due to human activities, and most glaciers are facing the risk of extinction. In order to avoid tragedy, glaciologists sent unmanned aerial vehicles to these dying glaciers, collected the core of the life of these glaciers-ice cores, and brought them back to the "hospital" specially set up for them, in order to restore these fragile glaciers and explore the earth's memory contained in them...

《Gathering and Dispersing》

Hu Qingya

 Works Introduction:

The inspiration comes from Qu Yuan's poem "Distant Travels" "Only the universe is infinite, and I lament the long and hard work of life. I can't catch up with those who have gone before, and I can't hear those who are coming." In this sentence, Qu Yuan lamented the vastness of the universe and the insignificance of human beings, and made a profound description of time and space. The universe is eternal and endless, but how small human beings are, the long road is long, and the long journey is exhausting.

The work uses the abstract form of particles to show the insignificance and uncertainty of human beings. Through the three stages of people walking forward non-stop, the chaotic human world, and people and particles taking off together, it inspires people's thinking about life and self, hoping to arouse people's resonance and deep spiritual thinking.

《Awaken to dreams》

Spinor

 Works Introduction:

The inner world of a person is likened to a microcosm. The unique microcosm creates non-universal meanings that transcend time and space. Religion, especially the manifestation of non-logical consciousness, can be regarded as a "bug" in the mind. We use Taoist culture to create non-consensus content, such as "harmony between man and nature", which is not something that everyone can feel. We conceived a "dream machine" to express these contents, such as the wonderful products produced by bugs. For viewers who are not sensitive to "Tao", we designed an artificial framework to help them connect with the theme through the framework and regard it as a product of dreams. Using the Taoist allusion of "Zhuang Zhou's Dream of a Butterfly", we created a story of shuttling between reality and fantasy. The dream is carried by the dream machine, everything in the tank is a dream, and the brain is the only entity.

《Pixel Overload-Atlas Shrugged》

Zhang Jiejie, Huang Yuchao, Zhen Lingjing, Deng Bin, Li Junlong, Lv Xinxin, Kang Xu, Yan Liushan

《Cosmic Rebound》

Cheese_Trap

 Works Introduction:

"Cosmic Rebound" is a video work that explores human existence and possible universes. From the perspective of virtual humans, the work unfolds a multimodal space-time projection of the real world from multiple dimensions such as science and technology, intelligent creatures, digital life, environmental ecology, and cosmic concepts. This projection rebounds back and forth in the space of the present world, fantasy, and history, transcending the image and getting to the heart of it. The film reshapes the historical narrative with a futuristic approach, interweaving and mixing different time and space and dimensions, trying to show people's realistic exploration of "possibilities". In the long Anthropocene, we have formed a window of "viewing the Tao through images" through the eternal practice, overthrow, and iteration of this exploration. Outside the window is the evolutionary history of society.

《Blob》

Torben Zsagar , Dicle Lidya Colak, Amna Chaudhry

 Works Introduction:

The project "Blob" explores the themes of rebirth and consumption, emphasizing the need for humanity to rethink its relationship with nature to survive and thrive. It contrasts the exponential acceleration and creation driven by AI and technology, leading to resource depletion and a sudden end. Rebirth is presented through a circular timeline where the past is re-embodied in the future, promoting harmony between human-made and natural environments. Inspired by climate projections and ancient urban habitats, the vision transitions from a human-centric biosphere to a nature-centric landscape, illustrating a cycle of emergence, growth, decay, and rebirth. In the design process, physarum polycephalum, a eukaryotic creature, aka “blob” is also included; occasionally it takes over the design. The project centers around the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Germany. Opened in 2017, this iconic building combines an old warehouse with a modern glass structure, symbolizing the blend of tradition and innovation essential for sustainable development and a renewed relationship with nature. The project "Blob" explores the themes of rebirth and consumption, emphasizing the need for humanity to rethink its relationship with nature to survive and thrive. It contrasts the exponential acceleration and creation driven by AI and technology, leading to resource depletion and a sudden end. Rebirth is presented through a circular timeline where the past is re-embodied in the future, promoting harmony between human-made and natural environments. Inspired by climate projections and ancient urban habitats, the vision transitions from a human-centric biosphere to a nature-centric landscape, illustrating a cycle of emergence, growth, decay, and rebirth. In the design process, physarum polycephalum, a eukaryotic creature, aka “blob” is also included; occasionally it takes over the design. The project centers around the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Germany. Opened in 2017, this iconic building combines an old warehouse with a modern glass structure, symbolizing the blend of tradition and innovation essential for sustainable development and a renewed relationship with nature. 

《 MOUNT WILSON SYMPHONY : A LIVE CONCERT》

Wei Wei

Our goal is to expand human cognition of microscopic particles and the objects they compose by facilitating human interaction with the universe and making the parallel universes composed of microscopic particles visible. By scanning six different landmarks identified by Wilson and recording natural sounds within a specific time frame, I created a visualized particle music work. As the audience browses different universe scenes in the concert interface and adjusts the customized VJ controller, time and space (sounds and landmarks) will change accordingly. Based on the wave function collapse principle of quantum mechanics, my work enables humans to perceive the superposition of multiple variables when observing objective entities. Just like my creation, humans gain a god-like perspective, able to supervise everything, freely travel through various parallel dimensions, and observe and adjust the parameters of different universes at the same time. This triggers further thinking about the relationship between humans and the universe: Why do humans need external controllers to observe parallel universes? Is there a higher-level existence manipulating human perception? Are we microscopic entities manipulated by controllers in higher-level parallel 

《Coral: The Fading Colors》

Xie Shujiao

Coral, often referred to as the tropical rainforest of the ocean, has been experiencing bleaching on a global scale for over two decades. Despite this prolonged crisis, public awareness and concern remain insufficient. This work features seven vulnerable coral species from the "China National Key Protected Wild Animals List," including staghorn coral, stone coral, elkhorn coral, organ pipe coral, rough bamboo coral, thin branch bamboo coral, and mesh branch bamboo coral. The film initially showcases their natural, healthy state in the wild, bringing these rarely seen, beautiful, mysterious, and fragile species into urban spaces. This not only serves an educational purpose but also aims to inspire appreciation and protection of these delicate and precious organisms.

As the detrimental effects of plastic waste, industrial wastewater, global warming, and overfishing gradually manifest in the visuals, the scene transitions from natural realism to AI-generated chaotic and abstract imagery. Through AI-generated distorted imagery, the work artistically abstracts the pain and deformation experienced by corals due to pollution. In this context, AI is not merely a tool but a medium that breathes life into the work, allowing the audience to deeply feel the devastating impact of environmental pollution on coral.

The overall rhythm of the work begins with vibrant, healthy scenes, gradually revealing the encroachment of pollution, and culminating in abstract, pale, and distorted effects. Through this artistic expression, we hope to evoke profound concern and appreciation for the marine ecological environment, inspiring a sense of responsibility and action towards nature conservation.

《Icy Fire》

Lampo Leong, Yanxiu Zhao

Scientists’ statistics and predictions indicate that global warming could lead to catastrophic consequences for humanity. This international environmental crisis necessitates collective action from individuals and countries worldwide. The immersive digital ink generated video art installation, through the distinctive texture of Chinese ink painting and the language of geometric and gestural abstraction, depicts the transformation of a glacier from ice to water. The color palette shifts from cool to warm tones, symbolizing the alarming effects of global warming, yet the re-freezing of the text at the end of the video offers a glimmer of hope, signifying the potential impact of our collective efforts. The innovative fusion of traditional ink painting with the concept of environmental consciousness propels classical ink art into the realm of contemporary art, showcasing the vitality of Chinese ink in the digital era. The work not only embodies the profound wisdom of ancient Chinese culture but also underscores the responsibility of a large country. It demonstrates that traditional art forms can be revitalized and repurposed to address pressing global issues, such as environmental protection.

More works by award-winning artists will be shared soon.