Portfolio

Artist Statement

About

 

 

 



         
Yu-Chen Chiu 邱于真

 

Astist Statement


I was born and raised in Taiwan. In addition to working with photography and video, I have recently extended my exploration with live image processing, sound, physical computing and programming. Art has no boundaries and what matters the most is one's concept. Combing traditional ways of art making with the help of new technology expands the limits of my creative expression.
   

I have been living in the U.S.A, specifically New York, for three years. This new experience for me is quite different from Taiwan. The fascinating differences between the two cultures triggered my inspiration to begin photography.  Street photography is the first step.  It reflects daily life, and may be common, however, its potentially powerful impact can never be neglected.  Maximizing the ability to impact audiences, I hope to convey messages that make audiences aware of worldly issues and social concerns.   I want to show a vision of New York City through the perspective of a foreigner, my prospective.  My photos are about time, place and people.  They reflect the psychology of human experience. Store fronts appear in my images often because of the metaphorical possibilities they hold for me, both physically and psychologically. They are a line between dream and reality, a sense of segregation, a territory, and mystery. They reflect the timeless human inner subconscious conditions and the dynamics of society, such as the consumer culture.  Some other images have poetic feelings and seems not belong to this era or timeline. Everyone has some memories that can never be removed, it can be a time, a person, a thing or culture we hope we can hold forever.
   

Living in a foreign country has also brought a search for personal identity and has triggered me to start my journey of self exploration.  The conflicts between the static and the dynamic sense of self on the search of who I am reflect on my other works.  These works are constructed by flow of subconscious and all share primitive and intimate elements.  They might not be narrative-based since what I want viewers to see is not a story but a concept, and the dilemmas that everyone encounters in everyday life.  I don't want to provide a solution for any circumstances because there is no exact truth. However, I would like to create an opportunity to inspire viewers to find out what is meaningful in their life, and also experience the excitement of unexpected happenings by joining my journey. Video and sound are expansions of my photography.  Video enables me to express my ideas more concretely and coherently with these fluid images.  Sound is also a channel to express my inner voice. Different beats, sounds, and the emphasis and the weakness of the rhythm are representations of emotions.  Both video and sound share the quality of movement.  The movement is like a lifelong journey and endless dream.  It gives me hope and keeps me alive. I hope my work will encourage viewers and audiences to rethink life and keep positive of infinite possibilities in life.