Today we’d like to introduce you to Chenxi Zhang.
Hi Chenxi, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Chenxi Zhang, I’m from Nanchang, China, and I’m an independent animation director. I started drawing comics in elementary school, envisioning adventure stories every night in bed, dreaming of serializing them in the Japanese animation magazine Shonen Jump. In college, I ventured into animation production and realized that static images couldn’t fully convey my expressive desires, prompting me to learn animation creation. Over time, my creative themes shifted towards self-exploration and self-expression.
Now, animation serves as a language for me to express myself more accurately, sincerely, and safely. Verbal and written expression often fall short or lead to misunderstandings, leaving me unsure of how to articulate my thoughts or fearing that inaccuracies may confuse or mislead the audience. Animation offers ample space for expression and interpretation, allowing me to expand my perspectives and emotions beyond reality.
Moreover, I believe this artistic creation serves a functional purpose—through the creative process, I gain a deeper understanding of myself and provide healing for both myself and resonating viewers.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I feel fortunate that when faced with choices on my path to growth, I didn’t just go with the flow but chose to pursue the art I love. This has given me a solid understanding of what I want and what challenges I need to face.
Initially, obstacles included a lack of confidence in self-expression and a lack of recognition from the outside world. During high school and college, the art education was very rigid and academic, not focusing on nurturing diverse personal creativity. Teachers aimed to shape students into cogs in the industry, preferring work conforming to prescribed themes and styles. My enthusiasm and creativity suffered greatly during my four years of undergraduate study, feeling more like unpaid commissions for my teachers. This only strengthened my resolve to break free from this cycle and pursue personal artistic expression. However, at that time, I lacked people who could affirm my artistic direction, as there are no consistent standards for art creation, and everyone’s personal experiences vary. This made me very anxious.
Thankfully, I came to the California Institute of the Arts, broadening my horizons and meeting many mature and supportive teachers, classmates, and artists. I gained many sincere, enthusiastic, creative friends. They encouraged me to continue creating with dedication, and the sense of achievement and belonging in experimental animation gradually emerged after accumulating time and works.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an independent animation director who explores the subtle emotions and contradictions in human relationships through hand-drawn animation. I seamlessly integrate material experimentation to enhance storytelling, creating immersive visual experiences.
I enjoy depicting nuanced, sensitive, and conflicting relationships in poetic narratives, stripping away the disguises we wear for ourselves and for others. Because real life is complex and fragile, our relationships are, too. It’s through these contradictions that we truly experience life. This authenticity may require us to let down our guard and disrupt existing balances, which can be painful and frustrating.
My recent film, “Braided,” tells a sensitive and vulnerable story: Mom always braided my hair so tightly that it carved a distinct path atop my head. But one day, she cut off the carefully braided hair.
Along the path, I touched our unbreakable inner attachment and the journey of female growth we were both unprepared to face.
I use tracing paper as my medium because of its translucent and fragile nature. The subtle haze created by the delicate balance between the paper and the air reflects my own confusion and uncertainty. The transparency of the paper allows me to create on both sides simultaneously, reflecting the multifaceted and contradictory nature of my role. The texture of the tracing paper and its crumpled appearance accentuate the delicate and sensitive emotions. Additionally, in this film, while predominantly focused on paper drawings, I also incorporate cut-out animation and hair animation. Paper and hair serve as both visual elements and characters in the narrative. All forms of transformation serve the purpose of storytelling and emotional progression, aiming to naturally enhance the film’s impact.
Braided is currently being submitted and has been selected for various international animation festivals.
(Check here for more info: https://chenxizhang.art/Braided )
I have a strong desire to interact with others in ways not just verbally or visually. I also explore art forms that foster a deep connection with the audience through limited interaction, making them an integral part of the artwork. For example, interactive art books (In a Moment, 2023), alternate reality games (Welcome to Doggy House, 2023), and video installations (Kick, kick the stone, 2021). In these experiences, I have come to recognize the boundless potential for emotional expression. My most powerful means of expression lies in subtle animation transformations and the use of various material textures to indirectly convey emotions and evoke atmosphere in storytelling.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
People often say that a diamond will always shine. The additional insight is that you need to keep polishing yourself and have the courage to step forward when the opportunity arises. First, believe in your abilities and trust your choices! Then, persist in your creative endeavors and make thorough preparations. When a desired opportunity presents itself, don’t fear failure; instead, reach out and seize it as an adventure.
I used to be someone who waited for schools to nurture me, waited to be discovered. However, as I gained more experience, I realized that passive waiting often leads to nothing, and confidence slowly diminishes. I came to understand that I have the power to shape my future through my efforts and choices, even taking me to places I once thought were distant.
In 2021, I took a year off from school and returned to China to reevaluate my situation. Amidst the pandemic, the future seemed uncertain and distorted. By chance, I came across a volunteer open call for an animation festival called Feinaki Animation Week. In order to get out of my passive state, I applied to become a volunteer, which was the smartest decision I’ve made in years and an experience that has shaped the course of my life.
It turned out to be a genuinely high-quality animation festival where there was no barrier between the audience, directors, staff, guests, and judges, fostering open and sincere communication. This experience helped me find my own community, where I met many talented creators and gained confidence in my personal work. It also led to various meaningful opportunities, including participation in experimental animation projects. Additionally, I served as an intern coordinating activities during the main event of the Feinaki Beijing Animation Week, where I was able to unleash my potential and enhance my skills.
This experience made me realize the importance of community for myself and other independent animation directors, igniting a sense of purpose within me: I also want to create and maintain such a platform, an environment, and community to nurture each other.
When you muster the courage to reach out for a bold opportunity, you’ll realize that human potential exceeds imagination. This creates a positive cycle, motivating you to prepare more actively and bravely explore new territories, find your audience and community, and gain more encouragement to achieve the next breakthrough.
Pricing:
- Animation Instructor – $ 30-80/h
- Animation Shorts (2D/Paper Cutout/Mixed Media) – Contact for Details
- 2D Animation Key Frame – Contact for Details
- Music Video – Contact for Details
- Portfolio Development – Contact for Details
Contact Info:
- Website: chenxizhang.art
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xixizhang0713
- Other: https://vimeo.com/user69031834
