We recently connected with Yalan Wen and have shared our conversation below.

Yalan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The project I am currently working on is inspired by a park in New York, the Elizabeth Street Garden, a small green space in Little Italy, is facing demolition of a new construction of the city. My project centers on the preservation of urban park spaces and the profound human connection to nature. These themes intersect with philosophical ideas such as Robert Nozick’s Experience Machine thought experiment, which challenges us to consider whether we would choose to live in a machine that simulates a perfect life, even if it isn’t real. This thought experiment resonates deeply with my exploration of nature, as I believe our connection to the environment is authentic, irreplaceable, and essential to our humanity. Urban parks serve as sanctuaries, providing city dwellers with rare, genuine connections to nature amidst an increasingly artificial world. These spaces offer more than physical relief; they provide emotional and psychological grounding, serving as a counterbalance to the hyper-connected, virtual lives that dominate modern existence.

Yalan, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I currently work full-time as a digital designer and dedicate my free time to pursuing personal art projects. My creative practice includes various mediums such as video installations, paintings, drawings, and immersive experiences.

Growing up surrounded by nature, I’ve always felt a deep connection to the environment and its endless mysteries. From an early age, I saw how nature itself poses infinite questions and offers subtle, profound answers. This relationship with the natural world is something that everyone, in some form, has experienced, and it’s this universality that drives my work. My goal is to create art that resonates with people on an emotional level, evoking feelings of wonder and reflection through a shared connection to nature. I hope to use my art to connect with people, and to find the delicate balance between humanity and the environment.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Using diverse mediums like video installations, paintings, drawings, and immersive environments, I seek to evoke the idea that nature is not merely a place for reflection but an active force that compels us to examine our relationship with reality and the environment. My goal is to highlight the unique and irreplaceable role of green spaces in helping us reconnect with the authentic aspects of our lives and question what it means to truly live.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I believe it’s essential for communities to represent the diverse voices of artists from around the world. Our role is to embrace this diversity, actively listen, and foster meaningful connections with others.
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Contact Info:

• Website: https://yalanwen.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yalanlanlan/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yalan-wen-822058a9/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@yalanlanlan