Chang Teng-Yuan: LAYER

The boundary between reality and illusion has always been something I try to navigate. With the rise of AI technology, I feel that the line between reality and illusion is rapidly disappearing.

I employ the creation of illusionary characters and futuristic apocalyptic story structures as a technique, using the unreal within the story to contrast with the truth in the real world. Comparing the absurdity of 2012 to the harsh reality now, the line between reality and illusion has become increasingly blurry, and it's challenging to determine which one truly exists.

This time, I explore the theme of "LAYER," which has several dimensions. First, it refers to the layers of the visual elements. I start by digitally drawing detailed simulations, then transfer them onto canvas, deliberately preserving digital traces to reveal the relationships between layers in the image, exploring the issues presented in the representation of painting. I'm not attempting to provide answers but rather trying to touch experimentally on various boundaries, hoping to stimulate some ripples of thought.

Secondly, through the concept of layers, I depict the boundary between the virtual and the real. The boundary between the virtual and the real has always existed in what seems to be a abstract state. Where is it? What does it look like? In what state does it exist? I don't have the answers, but by revealing the layers in the painting, I attempt to place the image simultaneously in a state of reality and illusion, suggesting that this "middle" state might be the appearance of the boundary.

Thirdly, in the image, the layers stacked together portray the appearance of a beautiful life. These appearances are inspired by various social media, where I've noticed people like to share their positive aspects. The way social media users present themselves may indirectly reveal the boundary between the real and the virtual. My role is to layer these seemingly boundary-like appearances together, making the blurry aspects clearer through stacking.

The exploration of the boundary between reality and illusion will evolve with the passage of time, yielding different results. For me, it's a subject with many unknowns, and each outcome is different. Perhaps this difference indirectly reflects our relationship with the world. (Text by Chang Teng-Yuan)