Interview: Fan Zhou
Luca Curci talks with Fan Zhou during Venice International Art Fair 2021, at Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello and The ROOM Contemporary Art Space.

I was born in the capital city of China. Like the first time I came to the West, I spent one and half a year in France. The different cultures shocked me a lot. For this reason, many of my early works were about gender, identity and ethnicity. But after that period, I decided to jump out of those topics and my attempt was no more about those different parts. I just take the human being as a symbol, a common element. Then I found out the similarities and differences between human and artificial intelligence mannequins. Next, I have two plans to realize, both of them are based on the conception of a human being. I’ll continue to use the perspective of humans to describe them as symbols in the specific scenes.

Luca Curci – What is art for you?
Fan Zhou- I think art is to express one’s own feelings in a special way.

LC – How did you get to your current artistic practice?
FZ – I have been conceiving this work two years ago when I was in Beijing and participated in a seminar about contemporary art research exhibitions. Therefore, the future ideas and interactive installations in the exhibition inspired me.

LC – How is being an artist nowadays?
FZ – I feel sorry for the current state of the art under the influence of the Covid-19. Our creation and participation have been affected. But at the same time, this is also a period of accumulation. In this era when people have to be separated from each other, we can better appreciate the strong relationship, self-experience and will to survive. Therefore, in the contemporary era, there are more ways to become artists, and digital exhibitions are gradually emerging.

LC – Do you use art to express something in particular? Is it your medium of expression?
FZ – Yes, I used to express my thoughts and attitudes with art, because art can transcend language and writing, so that makes the people of different regions, nationalities, identities and beliefs find empathy.

LC – What is the message linked to the artwork you have shown in this exhibition? How is it connected to the theme of the entire festival? Can you explain something about the artworks you have in our exhibition?
FZ – This time the topic is about FUTURE LANDSCAPES, This section focuses on the concept of the borders and the structures between body, mind and soul, the human identity and the city, the space and the ground. I combined the human body model and the artificial intelligence machine, abstracting it into a mirror that looks back at us. I combined the human body model and the artificial intelligence machine, abstracted it and used it as a mirror for reflecting our existence. The transparent part symbolizes the occupied space and at the same time expresses the soul. The interaction between artificial intelligence and humans is an image of daily life in the future. Maybe we will become more and more independent, less dependent on others, and one day maybe falls in love with an artificial intelligence robot.A bit like the sistema cyberpunk.

LC – What do you think about ITSLIQUID Platform?
FZ – I like this kind of exhibition format. I see many different types of exhibits, and I also meet artists from various countries, which is very interesting. Their works are very mature and perfect, which inspires me a lot.

LC – Did you enjoy cooperating with us?
FZ – Thank ITSLIQUID Platform very much for giving me this great platform to show my work. This is my first exhibition abroad, so I cherish the precious opportunity you gave me very much. I like it here, where I not only received respect but also made friends, so I look forward to the next cooperation.

LC – What are your suggestions about our services? Is there something more we can provide to artists?
FZ – In a word: more exhibitions! I enjoy watching exhibitions and exhibiting my own works. I have also visited Itsliquid exhibitions before, so I hope that there will be more activities like this. Thank you!