Interview: Zhenjie Ai
Luca Curci talks with Ai Zhenjie during the 15th Edition of VENICE INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR 2022, at Palazzo Bembo.

“My first name is Zhenjie, it means auspicious and pure, my last name is Ai. I am from China, currently, I work and live in France, and I am currently an art designer. My work mainly uses 3D printing technology and materials porcelain, digitalization and glass. I have been using 3D technology for 10 years as part of its research and started my work in ceramic and glass medium in 2019.”

Luca Curci – What is art for you?
Zhenjie Ai – I see art as a reawakening and exploration of the world as well as the self, it can be an immersion in expressing one’s innermost thoughts and showing the public the most hidden corners in the form of art. It can also be a way of caring for the forms of the world and the environment.

LC – What are you currently working on?
ZA – I am currently creating a design studio in France with a research focus on ceramic and metallic materials and 3d printing technology.

LC – Which is the role the artist plays in society? And contemporary art?
ZA – I see the role of the artist in society as someone who opens boxes, and constantly presents an idea and a realm to the public in various forms. I believe that contemporary art is simply a form of art that responds to the times, as the world today is more global and diverse than in the past, with no borders or restrictions. With the development of technology, art forms have also become much richer. What I think of as classical art was also the most popular at the time, so there is a trend for each era.

LC – Where do you find your inspiration?
ZA – I am inspired by virtual space and I like the idea of the dichotomy between metaphysics and science. The universe exists in an infinite amount of energy and although mankind has advanced a lot, there is still a huge amount of space that cannot be explained by science.

LC – What is the most challenging part about creating your artworks?
ZA – The first most challenging part was the technical implementation, as my work basically requires the use of digital and 3d printing, so implementing an intangible idea required a very large number of experiments to verify my ideas. The second point is about the use of materials, there are very many variables in ceramics itself, especially when mixed with other materials, creating an idea is easy. The process of realization is a long one, without much data case enquiry.

LC – What do you think about the concept of this exhibition? How did it inspire you?
ZA – The theme is abstract, but it is a topic worth pondering. The relationship between man and space it is the intersection of multiple dimensions.

LC – What is the message linked to the artwork you have shown in this event? How is it connected to the theme of the entire exhibition?
ZA – The works in this exhibition are about sound, an element that exists and is invisible. Sound is a way for the human body to connect to space, express inner thoughts and describe a memory through sound.

LC – Can you explain something about the artworks you have in our exhibition?
ZA – My creations are the result of a transformation of information – like sound – between different materials. Sound visualisation is not a new project, but how to materialise sound becomes the main direction of this experiment. Sound is an invisible element, it is everywhere, whether it is a good memory or an unforgettable story it can be transmitted in the form of sound, the shape of the object is generated by the data of sound, and materialise it to become a unique design that belongs to you. I navigate between virtuality and materiality by sliding progressively from hearing, to the imagined/thought thing, from the imagined/thought thing to the sight and finally from the sight to the quite real touch.

LC – What do you think about ITSLIQUID Platform?
ZA – I think the ITSLIQUID platform is clever because not every good artist is a professional manager and this platform cleverly uses resources to create opportunities for more artists to be showcased. Just as you ask me what is the role of the artist in this society, all walks of life are valuable beings, each demonstrating expertise in what they are good at, at their best. I also hope that there will be more opportunities for collaboration in the future.