Dreaming With: Lu Yang

Our Dreaming With Q&A series provides an exclusive glimpse into the artists’ lives and studios.

Where have you spent your time during the pandemic?
When the pandemic first broke out, I still traveled to Paris to participate in an exhibition at the Pompidou. Then I returned to Shanghai and the situation became more and more serious, and I have just stayed in Shanghai since.

What books, music, movies, or podcasts have inspired you recently?
Recently the animated film Soul (2020) has comforted me and made me realize even more that it is very important to live in the moment. I also got into playing a cell phone game called Sky, and it is also pretty soothing. 

What are you working on right now?
I am working on the work in the Asia Society Triennial, the motion-capture performance for the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art, and planning several new projects and works [for this year].

Lu Yang Digital Reincarnation: Dokusho Dokushi

What artist or work of art has most recently had an impact on you?
I don’t really look at works of contemporary art; as you can see from my work, there isn’t much of an influence from contemporary art. 😂 So, I pay more attention to things from other fields, such as video games, anime and manga, books on Buddhism and psychology, etc.

What are you most looking forward to in 2021?
World peace, success with COVID-19 vaccinations, for people to feel relief from the shadow of the pandemic and other negative incidents in the world, and the ability to travel globally.

What do you want viewers to take away from experiencing your work in the Triennial?
I don’t know; I’m not making art from the perspective of the audience, so I think it will depend on what the audience can get from my work.

Lu Yang Digital Reincarnation: Dokusho Dokushi

Are there any fun facts about your practice or your work in the Triennial that you would like to share with readers?
Please look forward to my work.