14th November 2024, at 18:00 Harrow Campus, University of Westminster (Lecture Theatre 2)
Pete Jiadong Qiang will present two of his recent works, the VR game HyperBody and the visual novel Project Search, both of which emerge from his auto-ethnographic creative process. These projects are defined by their distinctive aesthetics, embracing incompleteness and imperfection through a blend of traditional and digital techniques. Together, they offer a unique perspective on Chinese ACGN (Anime, Comic, Game, and Novel) fandom culture, incorporating elements such as hand drawing, animated illustrations, 3D scanning, the Unity game engine, Wwise sound engine, WebXR platforms, and brain-computer interface technology. Through this interdisciplinary approach, shaped by his background in architecture, game design, virtual reality, and neurotechnology, Qiang explores the concept of "internal alchemy," offering a glimpse into the innovative intersection of these fields and inviting reflection on the possibilities of merging art and technology in new forms of expression.
Dr. Pete Jiadong Qiang specialises in blending architectural, pictorial, and game spaces. Known for architectural maximalism, his research merges physical and virtual realms in ACGN contexts. He is currently a Turing Research Assistant at the Institute for the Augmented Human, the University of Bath. He graduated from the Architectural Association (AA) and completed his PhD at Goldsmiths, University of London. Website: beijing.systems
Both HyperBody and Project Search will be exhibited at the Emerging Media Space from 16:00 onwards, and attendees are encouraged to experience these works live before the talk.
Please make sure you register below to attend the event.