Zhuangzi dreamed he was a butterfly

Interactive Film/2018

This artwork is a Sci-fi interactive film, which is inspired by and informed by theological and scientific studies of the Akashic record as well as simulation theory. The Akashic records are a compendium of all universal events, thoughts, words, emotions, and intent ever to have occurred in the past, present, or future in terms of all entities and life forms, not just humans. Simulation theory believes that the reality that humans see and touch is actually a simulation of an advanced civilization, and the human consciousness is just a digital program, while the human body is a signal receiver.

In order to survive her incredibly painful and inevitable childhood, the protagonist in this fictional film, who has been subjected to domestic abuse for a long time, turns to fantasizing and mental dissociation—a technique that involves dissociating the mind from the body to alleviate physical pain as well as feelings of hopelessness and terror. Her right brain is more developed than the average person’s due to her years of mental dissociation and fantasizing, which enables her to communicate with the Akashic Records in her dreams. She sees mysterious entities that created and ruled the Earth, along with legendary places like Atlantis and the Earth’s core.

Official selection

Present Future” Art & Technology Star Award ( “现未来”科技艺术之星奖)

2019

Shanghai, China