Is the future of art in the metaverse?

The internet as a platform for artistic expression: in the realm of contemporary art, Cao Fei and LuYang have emerged as pioneers when it comes to pushing the boundaries of creative exploration and engaging with the digital age. Motivated by a profound fascination with forms of digital art, they have navigated the ever-evolving landscapes of technology, virtual reality and immersive experiences.

Through their exploration of virtual worlds, gaming cultures and digital communities, Cao Fei and LuYang examine the profound impact of the digital world on our collective imagination, social interactions and personal identities.

Cao Fei: The metaverse is a place I have lived in. Since creating my digital avatar China Tracy, I have been experiencing the changes and evolvement of digital space in the past decades. My aim is not to use the digital space to achieve a goal or to prove a point; I’m interested in creating space and sharing experiences.

LuYang: I believe having a virtual identity is a great thing; you can really feel the benefits, for example when playing online games. People can choose their preferred avatars and identities in the virtual world. Since 2010, all the characters in my works have been genderless, which means gender identity is not something that needs to be discussed in my art. This basic setting enables me to create the works I love.

Cao Fei: My work is a representation of my experience and perspectives. I don’t really have an agenda when addressing these issues. When it comes to my works, my avatars – previously China Tracy and, more recently, Oz – are very different aesthetically. China Tracy is an active explorer and embodies a spirit of optimism. Oz, as a gender fluid hybridity of biological body and machine, embodies a serene and introspective demeanour as it gazes upon the virtual world. I think for me as an artist, it’s more important to create space rather than giving conclusion.

Since 2010, all the characters in my works have been genderless, which means gender identity is not something that needs to be discussed in my art.LuYang

Cao Fei: The boundary between the physical and the virtual is increasingly blurred and entangled. Rather than viewing them as separate entities, they are often integrated. And it allows for a multi-dimensional and immersive encounter, where the boundaries between the real and the virtual are intertwined. Like my exhibition “Duotopia” in Berlin, the title “duo” means “many” in Mandarin, as there are multiple spaces and narratives.

LuYang: My own creative process is not influenced by external concepts and I don't see the metaverse as a utopia. People's experiences within the metaverse are still based on human concepts, and it would likely operate in a similar manner to the physical world. In the metaverse, individuals may amplify their desires and needs, potentially revealing a more uninhibited side of themselves.

The boundary between the physical and the virtual is increasingly blurred and entangled.Cao Fei

Cao Fei: I have been working with and studying digital technologies and mediums for a long time, and collaboration has come naturally. In RMB City, I had many friends participate in the city building project. In the current project Duotopia, I worked with a Chinese metaverse platform to create digital architectural and urban spaces.

LuYang: The internet has certainly made the art world more democratic, and I have benefited from it. However, when it comes to the metaverse, perhaps we need to wait for this concept to continue to evolve? Like any new and exciting thing, there tends to be a phase of speculation and hype. Even before the concept of the metaverse became popular, I had already started creating works using my own digital identity. Whether the metaverse exists or not, I create my works according to my own ideas.

This interview was conducted by Yann Couronneaud.