Li Yi Fan, the artist featured in this solo exhibition and recipient of the “20^th Taishin Arts Award,” will be presenting his latest work through the exhibition “SaveAs” on February 25, 2023. With roots in animation, the artist specializes in incorporating techniques from technological mediums to provide meta-narratives. Li’s works are like “preparation work,” hesitant to cross the threshold of narration. Here, the “preparation work” is the playful interaction, wrestling, and mutual torment between the artist and the medium that continues until one overcomes the other. The work takes shape amid a decaying corpse, which finally leads to the commencement of narration.

“SaveAs” initiates a series of imaginations through a brief narrative. The artist uses simple texts and magical and fantastical presentation methods to guide viewers into the imaginative space of the artist. Through experiences on-site and those that arise through VR equipment, the viewer wanders the exhibition space and roams between the real and virtual worlds.

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Statement｜

I dreamt that, despite my opposition, A-Xian deliberately unloaded these planks on the veranda in front of the Showba store in Yonghe. The middle-aged volunteer ladies from the post office next door all rounded up to watch, asking me what the planks were for. I mumbled, “they are works of art.” The number of onlookers increased, chatting amongst themselves. On the one hand, I was so nervous the planks would cause obstruction to traffic, but on the other hand, I managed to halfheartedly explain the definition of art while attempting to move the planks to the basement of the next-door apartment.