ASIA NOW

Duyi Han - Special project

October 20 - 22, 2022
La Monnaie de Paris - 11 Quai de Conti 75006

Press Release (pdf)

For its second participation at the Paris Asian Art Fair, Asia NOW, HATCH presents ‘Our Superior Algorithm’ by the Chinese artist and designer, Duyi Han. 

Specially commissioned for ASIA NOW, the artist’s suspended textile installation, 'Our Superior Algorithm’, takes over the right alcove of the courtyard at the Monnaie de Paris. 

This site specific installation explores the conceptual relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and religion, emphasizing formal and symbolic elements, as well as issues of power and control. By skillfully incorporating textiles, embroideries, and symbols from various cultures, Han sheds light on the duality of our relationship with artificial intelligence. At the core of this piece lies a contradictory message: on one hand, the invitation to entrust our decisions to a superior algorithm, implying blind trust in technology, and on the other hand, a sense of anxiety and corruption, underscoring the inherent risks associated with this delegation of power.

Our SUperior algorithm

ASIA NOW

October 20 - 22, 2022
La Monnaie de Paris - 11 Quai de Conti 75006, Paris

Participating artist: Duyi Han

Press release (link)

Working on the edge between art and design, Duyi Han's work transcends mere aesthetics. It serves practical functions in realms such as mental health and contemporary belief systems. Recently, the artist has shown a keen interest in textile objects, recognizing their overlooked significance within traditional East Asian architecture. He perceives these textiles as cultural artifacts, utilizing them to chronicle culture and values while conveying emotions and meanings.

For ASIA NOW, Duyi Han has crafted a suspended textile installation titled ‘Our Superior Algorithm’. Drawing inspiration from banners in Chinese Buddhist temples, commercial advertisements, and modern financial elites, this installation assumes an ambiguous role, oscillating between a marketing message and a mantra.

Designed for distant viewing, the installation incorporates two fabrics made off silk and suite falls, blending elements and objects from diverse cultures and collective memories. The central banners feature a hand-embroidered message ("Leave every decision to our superior algorithm. You have a worry-free future"), ostensibly from an AI-powered entity, encouraging individuals to surrender their decision-making authority to algorithms. Below the logo (titled in the Buddhist term “superior wisdom” in Mandarin) rests on the Buddhist black lotus symbol. The long navy-blue suit-fabric stripes are adorned with white-gold- gilded jewelry incorporating various symbolic elements, including the Buddhist Vajra protective weapon, compasses, luxury watches, computer chips, keyholes, and Buddhist Ruyi lucky scepters. Further down, a terms-and-conditions disclaimer implies a contract concerning data usage.

By integrating these visual elements, Duyi Han aims to dissect and portray society's intricate psychology regarding AI power. On one level, the installation exudes elegance, prestige, and allure; simultaneously, it carries a sense of haunting, foreboding, and corruption. Oscillating between worship and fear, ‘Our Superior Algorithm’ endeavors to encapsulate the psychological instant when humanity invests its faith in AI. The Buddhist form, as a religious object rooted in long- standing tradition, prompts viewers to observe and contemplate this moment as if it were a relic from the past.

Duyi Han (b. 1994, Shanghaï, China) studied architecture (B. Arch, 2019) at Cornell University in New York and worked at Herzog & de Meuron in Basel, Switzerland. Duyi Han produces work by himself as an artist and directs projects for clients across Asia, Europe, and the US on different scales, sometimes with executive collaborators.

Since 2019, Duyi Han’s work has been recognized by multidisciplinary awards and media platforms in more than 20 languages, including the Dezeen Award, Créateurs Design Award, AZ Award, Architizer A+ Award, ADC Award; Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, Vogue, CNN, Vice, and US National Academy of Sciences. His work Ordinance of the Subconscious Treatment is named among the 12 best installations at Milan Design Week by Architectural Digest. He sold many prints for The Saints Wear White and donated the profit to WHO to combat Covid-19. Duyi Han’s work has been exhibited at Sifang Art Museum (Nanjing), Milan Design Week (Alcova), World Trade Center (New York), Venice Design Biennial, European Cultural Centre (Venice), Vienna Design Week, Lake Como Design Festival, the metaverse, etc. Duyi Han has served as a judge at international design competitions and as an advisor at leading art and design schools.