Featured Artist

LiQin Tan

Refractive Brain Therapy Series

Animation Installation w / Digital Metal Prints Animation and Digital metal printing equipment

Artist Statement:

This project consists of a few large digital-brain prints on metal, which are placed into large, water-filled vats. These “brains” are accompanied by 3D animation played on LCD monitors, while the faces bask in the large vats of water. The audience is encouraged to interact with the installations by changing the water level, light, animation, and refractivity.

In this series, I show a decidedly unique understanding of refractivity. The project touches on a natural phenomenon, and more importantly, a social one as well. In Chinese ideology, the phrase “refractivity” holds the dual meaning of:

1) initiating an illusion,

2) leading towards social reality, with applications, treatments, such as water therapy, that can be applied as psychological activity but also brain washing.

Additionally, the installation emphasizes social periods in China referring to ‘Cultural Revolution’ and the ‘Great Leap Forward.’ Physical body and reference is merged with social, political, and cultural meaning.