Interview: Cynthia Chou
Luca Curci talks with Cynthia Chou during RITUALS, first appointment of ANIMA MUNDI 2024, at Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello.

Cynthia Chou is a Taiwanese-Canadian artist based in Berlin, exploring the nature of permanence, decay, and memory through the use of bioplastics. Her interdisciplinary practice seeks to highlight the aesthetic and functional potential of algae-based textiles, combining them with printing, sculpture, and textiles.

Memory Bank is a digital vault that contains representational objects and fragments of the artist’s identity, created as part of her residency at GlogauAIR Berlin. By collecting these artefacts, which include facial imprints, melting bioplastic forms, and self-portraits drawn from memory, Cynthia Chou seeks to explore the liminal space between the objective vs. subjective self, as well as the preservation of her physical being as an immortal and virtual entity.

You can walk through the interactive virtual world at cynthiachou.work/memorybank.

Luca Curci – What is art for you?
Cynthia Chou – I grew up with the common belief that there is no career or money in art and neglected it for most of my adult life. Only in the last few years have I felt the need to return to art as a necessary healing practice, and as an important antidote for the often soulless and market-driven world we live in. I use it as a source of personal reflection, growth, and joy, as well as a way to think outside the box when it comes to finding alternatives to the way we live. Art is society’s way of dreaming together.

LC – What are you currently working on?
CC – I’ve been exploring the world of bioplastics over the past year, which is an innovative field of research often referred to as “new material design”. I started this journey at ELISAVA School of Design and Engineering last July and worked with some great instructors who focused on applying their findings to industrial contexts. I wanted to take a different path and explore the aesthetic and artistic possibilities of these materials instead.

LC – What do you think about art on social media? Are they turning into the new showcases of contemporary art?
CC – I think digital showcases definitely enable artists to share their work, but they can’t replace the experience of a physical gallery. There’s a lot of social and artistic value in seeing a tangible piece with other people.

LC – Do you use art to express something in particular? Is it your medium of expression?
CC – Right now I’m particularly occupied with the ideas of identity, memory, and legacy, and of using art to mark my temporary existence in this world.

LC – How do you feel when you see your work completed?
CC – No piece ever feels 100% complete for me, but it’s always a relief to finally put something out there for others to experience. I want my work to be a starting point for bigger discussions, and love hearing how people feel about my pieces.

LC – What do you think about the concept of this exhibition? How did it inspire you?
CC – I like that Anima mundi is a broad and universal concept that allows for a lot of depth. It also fits quite well with the themes behind my work in regards to bioplastics, ecology, and the circular economy.

LC – Your last artistic production attracted us, has the artwork presented been created for the exhibition or as a part of preexisting works?
CC – Memory Bank is a piece that I created in March 2024, during my artist residency at GloguAIR Berlin. You can read more about my process here: https://glogauair.net/activity/meet-the-on-line-artist-cynthia-c/https://glogauair.net/activity/meet-the-on-line-artist-cynthia-c/

LC – What is your idea about ITSLIQUID GROUP?
CC – I was impressed by the size of your social media presence, specifically your Instagram audience. I’d love to see more artist features on your platform which would help artists get a better understanding of ITSLIQUID’s curation style.