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Check Out Ke Jyun Wu’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ke Jyun Wu.

Ke Jyun Wu

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started? 
Hello, everyone. My name is Ko Chun Wu, but I’m better known in my professional field as Ke Jyun Wu. 

I’m a digital media artist focusing on creating works that lead people to imagine. My past works have spanned various forms of new media, including audio-visual performances, public art installations, interdisciplinary technological dance works, and any cross-media forms of digital media production or dissemination. I’ve collaborated with clients such as Samsung, Intel, and Unity Technology. 

Whenever someone asks about my story, I always say with gratitude that I am a fortunate person. I’ve experienced many turning points in my life, and no matter how dire the situation seemed, there was always someone to lend me a hand. Without them, I wouldn’t have the vibrant life I have now! Although I won’t delve into too many stories today, I am thankful for everything. 

In my home country of Taiwan, parents often emphasize academic achievements, but I happened to be the kid who wasn’t particularly fond of studying. To this day, I vividly remember the afternoon that changed my life. It was after a university entrance exam, and while classmates were eagerly searching for the universities they’d attend in the future, I, with mediocre grades, was troubled about my path ahead. It was then that my class teacher offered me a life-changing opportunity: a school with a game design program, unexpectedly opening another chapter in my life. Though I majored in game programming in university, it was during my graduate studies in art-related courses that I unexpectedly realized the software I learned could be applied in various fields beyond the gaming industry, setting me on the path of digital art. 

In the five years since graduating from grad school, I’ve been constantly pondering the impact of technology’s rapid development on the future. As a digital media artist, I keenly feel myself caught in an irreversible tide. This tide might lead us to distant galaxies or contribute to the gradual disappearance of Earth’s ecology, both of which have become focal points of my contemplation. These thoughts inspired me to reinterpret nature digitally, believing that by retaining the characteristics of nature while reinterpreting them through digital media, we can provide humanity with entirely new perceptual experiences. Especially in the future, as we enter the era of the metaverse, the natural ecology may diverge greatly from our past memories. Therefore, I hope my works can serve as a bridge, connecting our past and future while preserving the beauty and mystery of nature in the digital world. 

Driven by these thoughts, I decided to start a new art series called the DigiScape Series. In this series, each piece is a new journey, guiding us to explore a future world where technology and nature coexist, blurring the boundaries between reality and illusion. In this journey, we are not just spectators but participants. Each piece comes with a sensor that allows us to interact with the work through body movements or other actions. The sensor becomes the bridge between us and the artwork, weaving our every breath and movement into this future landscape. When our senses become brushes, each interaction leaves a unique mark on the virtual canvas. This series is still ongoing. 

2024 has been particularly special for me. In early March, I moved from Taiwan to Santa Monica. The decision stemmed from a simple desire—I’ve entered the first decade after graduating from university, the first five years in the workforce, and I didn’t want to settle for the status quo. I wanted to broaden my horizons and seek new experiences, so I made this decision. I’m very happy to have received this interview invitation in my first week here—I believe it’s a good start! 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In the past, when information was relatively closed off, everyone made decisions within limited choices. However, now that information is readily available and we’re bombarded with different technological advancements every day, it’s paradoxically harder to make choices. I’ve often found myself in similar dilemmas. 

I often remind myself that nobody can predict the end result at the beginning of life’s journey. What we can do is find what we’re passionate about and focus on it, then boldly make choices. I’ve deeply felt that life is like a game—you may often feel like you’ve wasted a lot of time on the wrong things, but at certain moments, you’ll be thankful for the choices you made before. There are no wasted paths; they’re just not connected yet. The efforts we accumulate along the way won’t betray us; they just need opportunities to materialize. I always tell myself: focus on what you love and take action decisively. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Generative Art is my specialty, focusing on generating visual imagery through programming. I’m passionate about exploring the application of mathematical algorithms in visual art. While majoring in programming during my undergraduate studies and later pursuing a master’s degree in applied arts, I was exposed to two completely different fields, which cultivated my appreciation for aesthetics and insight into the underlying principles of everything. The nourishment from these experiences has allowed my work to strike a balance between aesthetics and technology. 

One of my most well-known art series is the DigiScape Series. Through digital media, this series reinterprets and represents the wonders of nature. Growing up in the midst of mountains, I often found myself gazing at the hills and the sky, seeking tranquility. Nature has always evoked a sense of grandeur and contemplation within me; hence, my works often revolve around themes of natural ecology. 

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
If you’re interested in tech art or want to learn more about the technical aspects, feel free to reach out to me. I’m happy to provide my thoughts or advice within my capabilities. 

Contact Info:


Image Credits

Yi-Hsien Lee
YHLAA
黃覺深
Jason

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