We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Yuwen Huang. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Yuwen below.

Hi Yuwen, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Looking back on my entire artistic journey, I would say my current project, the In-Circle Series, is the most meaningful I’ve worked on. It focuses on the intersection of blockchain technology and the exploration of artist identity.

The initial idea was to create an interactive website where artists’ names could be stored on the blockchain, ensuring a permanent record of their identities without the need for third-party validation. Building on this, I developed Artist Poem, a piece that invites users to collectively define an artist’s identity. It serves as a real-time manifesto of the “public artist,” while poetically liberating the idea of identity through audience contributions.

The inspiration for this project dates back to my sophomore year, when I first saw my name on an exhibition poster. While I hadn’t yet envisioned the project at that time, it sparked a lasting reflection on the concept of ‘artist identity’ and who has the power to define it, a question that has stayed with me ever since.

Working on the In-Circle Series gave me the opportunity to transform my ongoing struggles with artist identity into an unexpected media art piece. It also fueled my interest in using blockchain as a medium for artistic expression. I began to explore how blockchain’s decentralized principles could align with the democratization of art, creating an inclusive space where anyone can participate as an artist.

The process unfolded organically, providing me with new perspectives throughout my journey. Ultimately, this project taught me that I don’t have to provide all the answers; instead, I can create a space where the audience shapes the narrative, which in turn enriches my work.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am Yuwen Huang (E-von), a media artist who investigates identity, our relationship with the environment, and culture through the lens of technology. My work explores how technology has shaped and continues to shape these connections across time.

As a native of the media era, using technology feels second nature to me. It extends my perception and deepens my understanding of the world. I work across various digital mediums, including video, net art, installations, GAN-generated imagery and video, blockchain technology, and creative writing. To me, these digital tools are more than just instruments—they are gateways to exploring the boundaries of the world, challenging traditional definitions and opening new avenues for dialogue.

Currently, my primary focus lies at the intersection of blockchain technology and art, where blockchain serves as both a medium and a subject of artistic expression. I am particularly intrigued by how the unique features of blockchain can be woven into conceptual art, creating a rich dialogue between technology and creativity.

Many of my past projects have explored virtuality, seeking to reveal the unseen connections that underlie the material world. Rather than merely employing symbols as visual elements, I delve into the deep cultural significance they hold.

I am deeply influenced by ancient wisdom, such as the I-Ching and Eastern methods of spiritual cultivation. I focus on the interconnectedness of all things and their profound links to our inner experiences. My contemplation of the spiritual essence and the flow of energy between objects and living beings enriches my connection to the physical world in an increasingly digital era. By integrating Eastern spiritual philosophies with Western research-based methodologies, I strive to imbue my artworks with both depth and resonance.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Throughout my artistic journey, like many artists, I’ve experienced moments of self-doubt—questioning whether I’m on the right path or using the best approach for each project. Each creation process presents its own unique challenges, and past experiences don’t always offer solutions. This has been especially true for my project In-Circle Series, a project that has tested my resilience at every turn.

In the beginning, I struggled with doubts about whether the work would resonate with an audience. Given its reliance on blockchain technology knowledge, I am worried it might be too niche or difficult to comprehend. This concern weighed heavily on me as I developed the work further, realizing it diverged from traditional visual art forms.

Even when I began to accept the project’s nature, I faced technical hurdles in presenting it within a public art space setting. Unlike traditional art, media art comes with its own set of presentation challenges, and reconciling my ideal vision with practical constraints became my next obstacle.

To address this, I tested different presentations in public spaces, gathering feedback from audiences to better understand how the work was received. While I haven’t found a definitive solution, this process of experimentation and adjustment has become one of the most intriguing aspects of the creative journey. Despite the struggles, I’ve come to understand the importance of staying true to my core ideas. The world is vast, and there will always be an audience for authentic work, even if the path to finding them is long.

Resilience, for me, has been about trusting my vision through the uncertainty and pushing forward, knowing that the challenges are part of the creative process.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the opportunity to constantly gain new perspectives on ourselves, our lives, and the world around us. In my artist statement, I mention that I aim to use media art as a conduit to attain the essence of Tao. The creative process is, in many ways, a spiritual journey—one that reveals deeper connections and life forces in everyday objects, pushing me to observe the world from different angles. It’s akin to seeking the Tao, where the pursuit itself brings profound spiritual fulfilment.

My education in the U.S. has deepened this experience by teaching me the value of critique as a way to think differently and expand my perspective. While the methods differ from those in Eastern culture, both seek a similar goal: a comprehensive, universal understanding. Engaging with these approaches through creation has not only enriched my view of the world but also helped me to evolve as an artist, adding layers of depth to my creative journey.

Beyond personal growth, contributing to the ongoing dialogue in the media art world and shaping the cultural landscape is incredibly meaningful to me. It’s not only one of the most rewarding aspects of being an artist, but also one of my ultimate goals—to make a mark in media art history, foster a deeper understanding of life, and bridge the gaps between art, spirituality, and technology.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yuwenhuang.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3e_von/
• Other: Email: [email protected]

Image Credits

Liang He, Mengjun Duan, Yuwen Huang