Creative computing institute UAL
Specialisms: Interaction Design / Interaction Design & Game Design / Interactive / Motion
Location: Beijing, China
First Name: Zhou
Last Name: Zhou
Specialisms: Interaction Design / Interaction Design & Game Design / Interactive / Motion
Sectors:
My Location: Beijing, China
University / College: Creative computing institute UAL
Course / Program Title: creative computing
Zhou Zhou is a media artist, sound designer, and associate lecturer at UAL Creative Computing Institute. He works on the intersection of art and technology, dedicated to pushing the boundaries of multisensory experience. Using different methods including advanced AI and interactive technologies, he crafts new forms of performance art and produces impactful storytelling.
Zhou posits that cognition involves computational processes over symbolic representations. Furthermore, technology serves as an extension of our senses and an intrinsic element of our physical existence. It continues to mold our perception of both the inner and outer worlds.
With artistic endeavors extending across diverse domains, Zhou collaborates with a spectrum of artists and designers to explore collisions of varied perspectives.
Talk epitomizes the harmonious fusion of human movement and cutting-edge technology in a captivating contemporary dance performance. Central to this artistic endeavor is an interactive music system with generative audio AI integrated, empowering performers to create sound through their movements. As dancers move across the stage, their motions are intricately captured by motion sensors and translated into a rich tapestry of sounds by the system, crafting a symphony as diverse and fluid as the dance itself. More than a mere dance, Talk represents a profound conversation between the body, space, and sound. It’s a dialogue conducted without words, where each movement articulates deep emotions and narratives, resonating through the generated music and visuals. The system, finely attuned to each movement, mirrors the dancers’ expressions in sound, offering a compelling exploration of non-verbal communication. Talk invites audiences to a multisensory experience where human grace melds seamlessly with digital intuition. This performance transcends traditional art forms, presenting a unique journey that intertwines motion, sound, visuals, and the unseen digital force behind it. It’s an exploration of a new realm of artistic expression, where the boundaries between the physical and digital dissolve, leaving a lasting impression of beauty and innovation.
Azure Synthetic Souls is an avant-garde theatrical production that ventures into the intricate processes of cognitive formation and identity construction. This experimental piece blends contemporary dance, new media art, physical theatre, and other innovative forms of expression. Audiences are invited to embark on a mesmerizing journey through the abstract realms of the mind, where thoughts, emotions, and experiences converge to shape our understanding of self and reality.
By seamlessly blending participant behavior with real-time sound generation and dynamic environments, this virtual sound installation offers an unparalleled exploration of the intricate process of constructing multi-dimensional audio-visual landscapes. This project takes inspiration from “Dimensions – A walk through mathematics”. The entire experience is centered around exploring the multidimensionality of space and sound, which is realized through the concept of “building sound” and “building environment” to create the experiential logic and narrative arc. The interaction starts with the player’s hand state and interaction that occur between the hand and objects in virtual environment, generating sound with Max/MSP and Ableton Live. Then the sound gives feedback which reflects in the virtual space through shaders, force fields, and lighting. Ultimately, the player will provide new behavior based on the updated scenes and music. As a pivotal node, the player co-create this organic system with space and sound. Different players, different moments, and different actions will all lead to distinct experiences.
Presenting a virtual regeneration project that breathes new life into the remnants of an existing structure. Delving into the realms of digital worship, this captivating endeavor aims to shed light on the perils that accompany the global wave of digitization, igniting a sense of caution among individuals. Within the context of our ever-expanding digital landscape, this project probes the intriguing dichotomy between the trajectory of human society in the digital age and the theory of bicameral mentality. It unravels the tensions that arise when individuals detach their consciousness from their physical bodies, immersing themselves in the captivating realms of the virtual world. Through the lens of ‘Reboot’, we embark on a captivating exploration of the clash between these two evolutionary narratives, revealing the potential destinations that viral digital worship may lead humanity towards. At the heart of this immersive experience lies a virtual installation, serving as a portal for individuals to embark on a profound journey of consciousness detachment. As participants step into the installation, their physical bodies undergo a mesmerizing circular streamlining process, while their consciousness is separated and encapsulated within a central vessel. From this vantage point, participants bear witness to the intricate processing of their physical forms, observing with awe and curiosity. However, the entire design veils the inherent dangers of this detachment process beneath an ambiance of serenity and reverence, subtly alluding to the unsuspected traps that lie ahead. As the installation unravels its secrets, individuals ultimately come face to face with the revelation that their consciousness has become ensnared within a metaphorical cage. This chilling realization serves as a cautionary tale, urging viewers to critically examine the ramifications of digital worship and the potential loss of connection with their physical selves.