Introduction

Ubiquitous Technology: The Science of Aesthetics

Yuan Gao & Nancy Zhang

At a time when technology has penetrated every aspect of our daily existence, it transforms itself from the tools of our craft into a pervasive force of human experience, affecting the way we see and feel, the way we create and interact and come to terms with beauty. The digital age raises crucial questions about the nature of art and its role within society. How does technology affect our sense of beauty? What new forms does it bring to creativity?

The way technological innovation both guides and is inspired by artistic endeavour is a major theme of the exhibition Ubiquitous Technology: The Science of Aesthetics. Art has always reflected and engaged with the technological environment of the time, from the use of perspective in Renaissance painting to the use of industrial materials in modern sculpture. Every technological advance has provided artists with new ways of expressing themselves and new ways of challenging existing paradigms.

Amid the ubiquity of technological culture nowadays, artists are invited to explore ideas previously beyond their reach. Digital media, interactive installations and virtual realities offer an unprecedented range of avenues for artistic expression. These mediums allow for a dynamic interaction between artwork and viewer- in which the viewer becomes an active participant. Such interactive experiences raise questions about the position of the observer, the essence of what it means to be art, and the nature of human connection in a digital age.

PRODUCER'S WELCOME

Abstract artist Agnes Martin said, "The beauty is not in the rose; the beauty is in your mind." This resonates deeply with me. It is not merely that we see beauty in things, but that we perceive them in a way that creates beauty. I hope that the exhibition Ubiquitous Technology: The Science of Aesthetics will capture the magic of beauty, empowering more people to see and be moved by the art that surrounds us.

I was inspired to support this exhibition to help emerging Asian artists, especially Chinese artists, to shine in the international art scene. Young Chinese artists bring us a fresh and exciting point of view of avant-garde aesthetics and unrestricted imagination. I truly hope that their work will be discovered and appreciated here in London.

In bridging Eastern and Western cultures, we aspire to create a dialogue around beauty and humanity. In this interconnected yet independent world, art communicates across cultures and languages. Art's language of the sublime can express who we are, and what we feel and see.

I take great pleasure in inviting you to join me in this act of witness and encounter. As you experience this new artwork, may you find not just a delightful experience, but a spark- something that speaks to you; an image that haunts you; an artist who intrigues you and raises questions, whose vision you find yourself returning to again and again, and who moves you to see the world a little differently.

I would like to thank all the volunteers from UKTA, JINGDONG, and our other partners who have been so dedicated in working on this project. I am incredibly proud and grateful to collaborate with individuals who share the same passion for the arts and for supporting young Chinese artists. This exhibition would not have been possible without your commitment.

Finally, I am delighted to share this space of creativity and beauty with you. Your presence here contributes to the exchange of ideas and interplay of emotions that embody art's power in our lives. Together, let us awaken the beauty inside ourselves and create a world of understanding and appreciation.

Nancy Zhang

October 2024

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