We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yihua Li a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Yihua, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful art project I’ve recently completed is IRL=>URL (https://coryleeart.com/IRL-URL), an AI native game. This project is significant because it blends cutting-edge AI technology with interactive gaming, creating a unique experience that bridges our physical and digital worlds.
What makes it especially meaningful is its upcoming exhibition at the A+D Museum in Los Angeles. This week, I’ll be traveling to LA to participate in the exhibition and attend the ceremony. It’s an honor to have my work recognized in such a prestigious venue.
IRL=>URL explores how AI can create personalized, immersive gaming experiences by blurring the lines between the player’s real-world environment and the digital game space. This project represents an exciting step forward in interactive entertainment and showcases the potential of AI in creative fields.
I’m looking forward to sharing IRL=>URL with a wider audience at the A+D Museum and engaging with other creators and enthusiasts in the field. This project has been a labor of love, and seeing it come to fruition in such a prestigious venue is truly a highlight of my career.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Cory Lee (Li Yihua), a New York-based new media artist and CGI specialist. Currently, I’m pursuing my graduate studies at New York University’s ITP Program. My artistic focus revolves around three key elements: nature, language, and streaming.
My work aims to understand the patterns of nature, using language as a medium to reinterpret these understandings. The streaming aspect of my art reflects my desire to share and interact with audiences in real-time, much like a continuous flow of water.
What sets me apart is my innovative approach to blending technology with art. My contributions have been recognized in prestigious venues, including the 2023 ACM Creativity & Cognition conference and exhibitions in FUKUOKA.
I’m most proud of how my work bridges the gap between natural phenomena, linguistic expression, and digital interactivity. For potential followers and art enthusiasts, I want them to know that my art is an exploration of our relationship with nature, expressed through cutting-edge digital mediums.
My recent project, IRL=>URL (https://coryleeart.com/IRL-URL), exemplifies this approach. It’s an AI-native game that blurs the lines between physical and digital realities, pushing the boundaries of interactive entertainment.
You can follow my work on Instagram (@cory_leeeee_) and Twitter (@cory958014884), or reach out via email at [email protected] or [email protected].

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist and creative is the unique perspective it offers on the world around us. Through my work, I’m able to perceive and interpret reality in ways that often diverge from conventional viewpoints. This alternative lens not only enriches my own understanding but also allows me to share these fresh insights with others.

Equally rewarding is the opportunity to connect with a diverse array of individuals. Art serves as a universal language, bridging cultural and social divides. It enables me to engage with people from various backgrounds, each bringing their own interpretations and experiences to my work. These interactions not only inspire new ideas but also broaden my own worldview.

This combination of unique perception and diverse connections continually fuels my creativity and personal growth, making the journey as an artist truly fulfilling.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

There is indeed a particular goal driving my creative journey, one that has evolved significantly in recent times. As I navigate the pressures and uncertainties of life in New York, I’ve found myself drawn back to the philosophical classics of the East. This return to my cultural roots isn’t just about seeking comfort; it’s a quest for deeper understanding and a new approach to both life and art.
My current passion lies in utilizing Eastern philosophy and narrative structures to solve artistic challenges. For instance, I’m exploring how concepts from Eastern thought can be applied to design problems, such as creating palindromic poetry. This fusion of Eastern wisdom with contemporary art forms has opened up exciting new avenues for creativity.
I’ve come to realize that many of life’s complexities cannot be adequately addressed through Western binary thinking alone. Returning to my cultural heritage has provided me with a broader and clearer perspective, allowing me to reflect on and observe the challenges faced by Asian individuals globally, especially in the United States.
This journey is not just about personal growth or artistic expression. It’s about bridging worlds – East and West, traditional and modern, philosophical and practical. By integrating Eastern philosophical principles into my work, I aim to offer new ways of perceiving and solving problems, both in art and in life.
Ultimately, my goal is to create art that not only aesthetically pleases but also encourages a more holistic, nuanced understanding of our complex world. I hope that through my work, I can contribute to a broader dialogue about cultural identity, philosophical diversity, and the role of traditional wisdom in our modern lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://coryleeart.com/
• Instagram: Cory Lee (@cory_leeeee_)
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coryyihuali
• Twitter: Cory lee (@cory958014884) / Twitter

Image Credits

credit:
Yihua Li (Artist)
Wendy Li
Jiayi Li
Jiayi Wu