What is Shan Shui?

Shan Shui (Chinese: 山水; pinyin: Shān Shuǐ; literally: “Mountain-Water”) refers to a style of traditional Chinese painting that involves or depicts scenery or natural landscapes, using a brush and ink rather than more conventional paints. Mountains, rivers and often waterfalls are prominent in this art form.

By the late Tang dynasty, landscape painting (i.e. Shan Shui) had evolved into an independent genre that embodied the universal longing of cultivated men to escape their quotidian world to commune with nature. As the Tang dynasty disintegrated, the concept of withdrawal into the natural world became a major thematic focus of poets and painters. During the early Song dynasty, visions of the natural hierarchy became metaphors for the well-regulated state.

Chinese artists of the era typically did not paint real places, but depicted imaginary, idealised landscapes. Painting was no longer about describing the visible world; it became a means of conveying the inner landscape of the artist’s heart and mind. It was not about presenting what they saw, but about what they thought. Rather than serving as an open window for viewer’s eye, it became an object for the viewer’s mind.

The previous version of “MOUNTAIN & WATER” is an interactive A.I. installation created by XRT, while the current exhibited version is a pre-rendered screen-based work compiled from video sources collected from a workshop hosted by the presenter.

In this work, we are studying how technology, especially A.I., changes the process of creating art, as well as how art reflects the different values of different eras, e.g. from individual to crowd creation. If traditional Chinese landscape painting is a personal expression, a “Mind Landscape” of the artist’s heart & mind, then MOUNTAIN & WATER provides insight into our collective subconsciousness as expressed through big data visualisation! In the context of Shan Shui, MOUNTAIN & WATER also raises the question of “Where is the Reality” in our culture. In Chinese traditional painting, we often encounter depictions of mountains, rivers, flowers & birds, but wars, poverty and riots are not commonly portrayed. So, if technology is to assist us, what would the audience draw if a machine invited them to sketch their reality?

Alexson Chu now resides in Tokyo, Japan as an Interactive Engineer, where his work focuses on AR and XR technology and experiences. With expertise in interaction design and game programming, Chu is able to create immersive experiences that captivate users and push the boundaries of what is possible with these emerging technologies. Chu’s work as an Interactive Engineer in Tokyo has allowed him to expand his skill set and stay at the forefront of innovation in the field.

As a creator and founding member of XRT, Chu has exhibited his work at various international festivals and events. His works, I AM/WERE HERE/THERE #1 & 2, were showcased at Microwave International New Media Arts Festival 2018, International Symposium on Electronic Art ISEA2019 Gwangju 2019, and COMO & HAPPY SCREEN 2019 in Seoul. His work MOUNTAIN & WATER was selected as a finalist for The Hopper Prize 2019 and was exhibited at DesignInspire 2019 in Hong Kong.

Chu’s experience as an Interactive Engineer and his creative work with XRT have demonstrated his ability to combine technical expertise with artistic vision. He is able to create innovative and engaging multimedia experiences that push the boundaries of what is possible with emerging technologies.

Henry Lam is a multidisciplinary creator, skilled in motion graphics, show/theatre design, experience, and interactive design. With years of experience in the art and design field, his job often involves cross-discipline collaboration. Lam is fluent in transforming ideas to meaningful visual storytelling and infusing artistic insight into diverse experiences.

With the rise of immersive technologies and the evolving realm of experiential design, he has joined forces with artists from different disciplines to form XRT – an art group committed to collaborative narration and cultural exploration in the digital era.