INHABITED examines the relationship between the environment and
humans, exploring themes of physicality and space using gaming, 3D
animation and video. From the microcosmic to the macrocosmic, the
artists in this section investigate the complex and often fraught
relationship between human beings and the natural world, and the
ways in which our actions morph the world around us and vice
versa.
Reading Between the Lines
Leo Ng
Ruination
Cai Ni Chen
Mischievous Chicken
Ikra Islam
Within Me
Sai Hein Nay Zar
NYC Past & Present
Melenie Atahualpa
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Reading Between the Lines
Leo Ng
Reading Between the Lines is a video work that uncovers the
natural lines hidden within New York City's infrastructure and
people’s daily lives. Through a combination of visual elements
and poetry, this project invites viewers to reexamine their
surroundings and consider the impact that lines have on their
perception of the environment.
At the heart of the project is a poem that synthesizes with
each scene. The poem explores the purpose of lines and how
they re-imagine our experience of the world around us, often
without us even realizing it. Whether it’s dividing society,
altering psychology, or creating order, lines play a vital
role in the space they exist in physically and metaphorically.
By bringing these natural lines to the forefront and exploring
their impact on our perception, Reading Between the Lines
encourages viewers to engage with their environment in a more
conscious and intentional way. Through this project, the
artist hopes to spark a deeper appreciation for the complexity
in the world we live in, and to generate a greater awareness
of the lines that transform our experience of it.
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Ruination
Cai Ni Chen
Using open source gaming and 3D modeling software, Ruination
is an interactive game that focuses on the slow destruction of
the earth through pollution and the man-made alterations of
the earth. Cai Ni gained inspiration from the events of the
train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio which resulted in
toxic fumes being released and the contamination of the soil
and water in that area. The game is meant to draw attention to
corporate greed which is harming our environment and the
government's inaction.
The game has 5 levels and different objectives in each level.
Each level centers around a different era of humanity:
paleolithic era, colonial era, the industrial revolution, and
the present day. The last level is the potential future. To
show the deterioration of the earth, there will be noticeable
environmental changes throughout the levels.
Mischievous Chicken takes place in the small town of Nayarit,
Mexico that had been destroyed due to the increase in consumer
tourism in the region. From unreliable sewage systems and
polluted waters, Nayarit experiences a variety of
environmental degradation due to the influx of tourism in the
region and underdeveloped infrastructure. Despite such issues,
Nayarit is home to some of the most scenic views in the world
and the most vibrant community of people. Through Mischievous
Chicken, Islam hopes to celebrate the town of Nayarit and its
beauty, while bringing awareness to the issues being caused by
consumer tourism in the region.
Within me is not based on political or social issues but
rather a representation of Sai’s mind. They are a personal and
creative expression of his inner world. He is at the early
phase of his artistic career and has a hungry passion to bring
his imagination to life via the immersive environments that he
has envisioned and built from deep within him. He finds beauty
in the endless possibilities of the mind and how he can
vividly dream and materialise these visions. His exploration
of the infinite potential leads to an animation that captures
the worlds that Sai has built and they are a visual
representation of his journey. The project is a chance for him
to invite the world into his journey and to merge and weave
them together. Ultimately, he hopes that his work can inspire
and spark a new perspective on the worlds he has built.
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NYC Past & Present
Melenie Atahualpa
New York City Past & Present explores what the city was like
in the 1950s, and what it has become today. From being an
industrial and manufacturing center, the city has become a
center of media and technology. The city’s skyline was
dominated by tall buildings. In the last couple of decades,
skyscrapers have transformed the skyline of the city.
Initially, the video is rendered in black and white, but
gradually progresses into color, symbolic of the present day.
The video highlights architecture and transportation changes.
Clocks are shown throughout to illustrate how much has changed
in NYC over time.
Melenie hopes to capture the similarities and differences
between NYC and other cities through the use of found footage
and footage she captured herself. Despite these changes, the
city remains one of the most exciting and iconic places in the
world.