BIAS is an art project that combines botanical hand-drawing, 3D models, AI-generated images, and AR/VR. The character 'AstroCats' is the medium, projecting the redefining images of the wildflowers and weeds commonly seen on city streets. Through different visual perspectives, the project implies that even when looking at the same small thing, one's perception can be changed, and so does one's imagination. Perhaps, a better definition of weeds is that they are plants with unknown purposes and could be used as medicine or poison. It's not that the plants are inherently wrong, but rather that our lack of understanding or misunderstanding leads to prejudices.
Have you ever taken notice of the wildflowers and weeds along the streets of your city? The AstroCats from Planet Purrito would like to invite you to explore the world of Planet Purrito by shifting your perspective and immersing yourself in their universe!
Plants. Environment. Earth. Outer space. Does move to a new planet the realization of humanity's dreams or potential devastation? Will the next Earth be better? In recent years, the combination of the pandemic and the rapid pace of climate change has left many nations questioning. Despite long-standing calls for energy conservation and carbon reduction, it has become an evident that we are unable to halt the severe degradation of our environment. This raises a profound query: Can human find a suitable planet for future habitation in time? Alternatively, should we examine the environment surrounding where we live, cherishing the overlooked beauty and discovering the treasures that have long been neglected?
[ Artwork 1 ] AstroCat No.1：Cyberpunk AstroCat Catharanthus Roseus
BIAS - on the planet Purrito
A weed is just a flower growing in the wrong place.
Have you ever taken notice of the small grasses or flowers in your city?
This is the AstroCat from the planet Purrito. I invite you to switch perspectives and experience the planet Purrito by becoming one of us.
Using common weeds and grasses found along city roadsides as the main characters, the AstroCat is a 3D model combined with digital drawings of native Taiwanese plants and AI-generated elements.
https://matilda-huang.com/homepage/bias-landing-en/
Therefore, the art project "BIAS - The AstroCats and their companions" thus begins, using the word "BIAS" to symbolize our preconceptions about weeds and reflect our disregard for the small things. The AstroCats originate from a desolate planet called Purrito, accompanied by their companions, the Space Rabbit Detectors which transmit images of the small yet beautiful plants from Earth to the Planet Purrito. As a medium, the AstroCats project the data and information onto different locations, observe the wildflowers and weeds in various cities and transmit back to Purrito. Gradually, these wildflowers and weeds spread across the desolate planet, offering the AstroCats a different perspective of the world through the information provided by the Space Rabbit Detectors.
[ Artwork 2 ] AstroCat No.1：Cyberpunk AstroCat - Hologram
BIAS- AstroCat No.1 Catharanthus Roseus - Hologram
A weed is just a flower growing in the wrong place
~ George Washington Carver ~
How long has it been since you stopped to take a look at the plants that appear by the side of the road and observe their colors and changes?
The AstroCats from Purrito Planet serve as a vessel, projecting the appearance of common plants found on the streets of Taiwan.
The initial concept and drafts of the BIAS project were inspired by memes and misconceptions of NFTs. These creatures convey profound messages while being presented in cute imagery. The concept of NFTs transcends a mere image, it provides a digital certification for non-fungible tokens. This signifies that an NFT represents more than just a picture. The asset itself embodies an abstract concept. For instance, those involved may deem an aged photograph an asset, as it carries memories. However, it may simply be a photograph to others.
The notion of decentralized blockchains may seem utopian — an avenue to foster trust among individuals through the implementation of digital technology. Consequently, in creating this NFT project, I deliberately chose to merge the digital format with the physical act, employing the AstroCats as a medium to engage with people in diverse ways. The integration of virtual and physical elements holds profound significance for both me and my artworks.
[ Artwork 3 ] AstroCat No.1：Cyberpunk AstroCat - Augmented Reality
How long has it been since you stopped to take a look at the plants that appear by the side of the road and observe their colors and changes?
The AstroCats from Purrito Planet serve as a vessel, projecting the appearance of common plants found on the streets of Taiwan.
AstroCat No.2 - Dandelion - Augmented Reality
Location: Taiwan
Returning to the concept of BIAS, it aims to instill a heightened awareness of our surroundings. Thus, the AstroCats embody augmented reality works. The virtual medium is an extension of the physical world, not a substitute. The AstroCats guide individuals from the digital format and reintroduce them to their environment. By doing so, we have the potential to reshape our perceptions and impressions of the seemingly inconsequential.
Creator
Matilda Huang | Taiwan | Kaohsiung City
Education：
- MA Communication Design. Central Saint Martins, University of The Arts London
- BA Communication Designs. Shih Chien University, Taipei campus
Matilda has experience as a guest lecturer in creative thinking at Ming Chuan University's College of Fashion and Innovation Management. She also had the privilege of contributing as an infographic designer and presentation designer for a management consulting firm. In her journey through the fashion industry, Matilda embraced the role of a brand manager and currently works as a design supervisor in the print design department. With gratitude, she has had the opportunity to collaborate with notable clients, creating animated backgrounds and illustrations for Fish Liang's music concert, designing interface layouts for websites, crafting logos for brands, creating illustrations for books and advertisements, and developing pattern designs for fabrics and fashion. Matilda's professional experiences have extended across diverse fields and industries, allowing her to continually grow and learn.
Exhibitions
- Spatial NFT Gallery - Virtual Exhibition
- Digital New Silk Road - PAC Picasso Art Certification Platform - Virtual Exhibition
- Storytelling Workshop through Drawing - Taiwan
- International Design & ART Invitational Exhibition - South Korea
- WARP Contemporary Art Exhibition - Residency Artists - Belgium
- Institution of Contemporary Art Artistic Book Fair - United Kingdom
- SCISSORSPAPERSTONE London Print Studio - United Kingdom
- PRESS & RELEASE Artists' Book Fair - United Kingdom
- Summerset House Art Auction - United Kingdom
- Mysophobia = Obsessive Cleanliness = Keppeki shou Joint Exhibition - United Kingdom
- IdN Magazine The Sixth Royal Elastics Presents Art - Taiwan
- Taipei Artist Village - Residency Artists - Taiwan
