HKAC CREATORS FOR TOMORROW - Consciously Human Metaverse
Introduction
Consciously Human Metaverse is a virtual world exploring the science of the Buddhist mind, inspired by the artist’s travel around Asia in the past 10 years and her recent neuroscience studies.
Seeking the "Buddha brain,”the artist delves deep into neuroscience literature and gains insight into the biological processes of thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. It becomes clear to her that conscious actions stem from countless unconscious mechanisms within the brain, with different parts negotiating with each other for their needs and wants, like a "Society of Mind.” Through the practice of abstinence, meditation, contemplation, and internal negotiations under the guidance of Dharma, we can obtain more clarity on our decisions and choices.
Buddhism and science share the same mission of understanding the mind empirically. The artist takes this mission to the virtual realm to uncover the deeper truths that lie at the intersection between the ancient wisdom of Buddhism and modern science.
Concept Prototype Presentation and Sharing
Chi Chi Cheng will be presenting the prototype of the metaverse after 10 months of research. Special Guest Venerable Chang Zhan will also join the discussion, digging into the intersection of Buddhism and science.
Chi Chi Cheng is a multidisciplinary artist from Hong Kong with a background in neuroscience. She is currently pursuing MSc. in Applied Neuroscience at King's College London. She graduated from Hong Kong Baptist University and Zurich University of the Arts MA. in Visual Arts programme. She is interested in exploring the intersections between neuroscience, policy making, medicine, law and ethics.
Taking on an "anthropological” approach with a focus on understanding human conditions both culturally and biologically, her works question what it means to be a conscious evolutionary human that challenges the world's status quo, going beyond the surface of tradition and hierarchical structures to investigate the inner workings of the mind and the many underlying issues of humanity. She held a TEDx talk about connecting to identity through food and family stories and was featured in the Royal Photographic Society’s Women Science Photographer 2023 in the UK. She was trained as a yoga teacher in Tamil Nadu, India.
“I once flew to Tibet with a one-way ticket. Today I am agnostic, tomorrow I don't know.”
The 'HKAC CREATORS FOR TOMORROW 2023 Open Call' is launched by Hong Kong Arts Centre (‘the HKAC’) with an aim to encourage and support Hong Kong emerging artists, curators, researchers, and creators.
To nurture local up-and-coming talents, HKAC is now accepting proposals for ‘Exhibitions’ and ‘Research Projects’. The selected Exhibitions will be held at the HKAC Diana Cheung Experimental Gallery, while the Research Projects will be carried out according to the schedule and details agreed upon by HKAC and the successful applicants.
About Hong Kong Arts Centre
Art for Passion, Art for Life, Art for All
Since 1977, the Hong Kong Arts Centre (HKAC) has been a platform for nurturing and supporting artists, and infusing art into everyday life. Its unique arts and educational programmes aim to make the arts accessible for all. The HKAC believes in the transformational power of art for people from all walks of life. Established more than four decades ago, the HKAC bring art to the people of Hong Kong – by presenting programmes for visual arts, performing arts, moving images and media arts, comics and animation. Other areas also cover arts education, conferences, festivals, public art and community projects, all done with the vision and mission of engaging and inspiring creativity in the Hong Kong community.
In 2000, HKAC founded its educational arm, Hong Kong Art School (HKAS). The HKAS provides award-bearing programmes to nurture artists and art practitioners, as well as short enrichment courses for the general public. The HKAC aspires to engage everyone in the community to become an active participant in the arts – as an enthusiast, an artist or a patron.
Let’s continue to embrace ‘Art for Passion, Art for Life, Art for All’, and share the inspiration.
Official website: hkac.org.hk | Facebook: Hong Kong Arts Centre | Instagram: @hongkongartscentre
Financial Support
Hong Kong Arts Centre is financially supported by the Art Development Matching Grants Scheme of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
The content of this programme does not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
