Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Yixuan Cai. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Yixuan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

Most of my personal work could be viewed at https://www.cai-yixuan.com. My work centers at the intersection of logical tectonic composition and fictional abstraction of natural surroundings. I draw inspiration from the intricate process of interweaving seemingly disparate elements into a harmonious and heterogeneous whole. Through my work, I’ve envisioned a future living environment that is not solely influenced by the rapid advancement of digital technology but is also shaped by an alternative manifestation of the natural world. This concept was illustrated in the work “Prosthetic Landscape”.

“Prosthetic Landscape” (https://vimeo.com/844160962) is a conceptual master planning project located at the Parana Delta in Rosario, Argentina, an intersection of urban and rural context. It envisions a post-anthropocene future where nature species gain their dominance over the years and begin to submerge themselves into man-made environments. The project orient itself at the discussion of the level of imprints from human traces onto the natural form and vice versa. The project was finished in 2021, during the peak of the pandemic quarantine. I think it is meaningful for an alternative perspective it has offered us to see when we were confined to our homes. The project prompts contemplation on the transformative impact nature can exert on what was once exclusively human territory.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a Chinese-born architectural designer and multimedia artist based in Los Angeles, United States, specializing in digital environment visualization. Currently, I contribute my design expertise to Perkins&Will, a globally renowned architectural firm. Prior to this job, I have dedicated two years of my career to ISOZAKI+HuQian Partners, the Shanghai studio of the Pritzker Architecture Prize winner Arata Isozaki. Extending my enthusiasm in architectural visualization and animation, I have embarked on personal design projects that explore diverse digital media, addressing the dynamic interplay of movement and the passage of time in our daily surroundings. My creative endeavors have earned recognition such as the gold prize in the London Design Awards 2023, 2024 French Design Award and the silver prize in the 2023 International Design Award. Her featured exhibitions have encompassed cities such as London, Indianapolis, Chengdu, Los Angeles and New Jersey.

Fictionality and storytelling are the key features that distinguish my design from others in the same category. I always try to envision scenarios and context for my design and let them impact each other. I want to use design to unveil what hasn’t been seen in real life but in a human’s wildest imagination.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

“Courage to be Disliked” by Fumitake Koga and Ichiro Kishimi has been instrumental in boosting my confidence and fearlessness in advocating for my ideas and driving projects forward. Previously, I struggled with shyness and sensitivity, especially when presenting my ideas in front of a group of people, which unfortunately is a scenario that we encountered a lot during artists collaboration. The book’s exploration of Adlerian psychology, particularly the concept of “separating tasks,” has been particularly impactful. It helped me realize that expressing my ideas is a way of staying true to my creative vision, regardless of others’ opinions, which are beyond my control. This shift in mindset has not only made me more confident and clear in expressing my ideas during collaborations and meetings but has also led to smoother progress in our work. It’s empowering to know that by staying true to my beliefs and consistently expressing my voice, I can find collaborators who actually resonate with me, leading to more fruitful collaborations.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Society has made strides in supporting artists in recent years, with initiatives like artist housing and various gallery open calls, workshops, etc. However, there remains a significant gap in protecting the credibility of artists, particularly those who are not yet well-known. In commercial collaborations, it is common for team members’ names to be understated or even completely overshadowed by a more famous artist or organization. I believe it is crucial to recognize all team members’ contributions, especially given the current collaborative landscape.

Furthermore, the rise of AI production has exacerbated the issues of plagiarism and the blurring of originality. It is essential to take action to better distinguish and protect original work through legal measures and public awareness campaigns. This will not only ensure that artists receive proper credit for their work but also maintain the integrity of the creative process.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cai-yixuan.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yixuan.cai_arch.process/?hl=en
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/yixuan-cai-643880b2

Image Credits
Personal Photo, by Yixuan Cai, 2023 “Stage Magic”, by Yixuan Cai, 2021 “Stage Magic” exhibition photo at Tag Gallery, by Yixuan Cai, 2024 “Butterfly”, by Yixuan Cai, 2023 “Prosthetic Landscape”, by Yixuan Cai, 2021 “Prosthetic Landscape” exhibition photo at Indianapolis Art Center, by Yixuan Cai, 2023 “Traces” exhibition photo at Indianapolis Art Center, by Yixuan Cai, 2023