ABSTRACT

The "Book of Changes" translates this ordered universe into a system of parallel symbols, sixty-four hexagrams, which express the various human situations. From the Chinese perspective, all phenomenal existence is conditioned by two polarities in contrast—Yin and Yang, which represent the dynamic of change, an organic order corresponding to human nature. To represent this ancient Chinese cosmic conception in a digital interactive art form is rejuvenating the old culture, as well as transforming and enriching the future one.

RATIONALITY

While growing up in China I was told that "I Ching," the "Book of Changes," was not a thing to be undertaken lightly. By an unwritten law only those advanced in years regarded themselves as ready to learn from it.

Yet creating this interactive "Book of Changes" is not only a fulfillment of my wonder, but also a challenge: to reveal this 4,000 year old profound mystery. In addition to exploring this ancient cosmic conception through a global cultural context, a fast speed social environment, and an industrialized life style, to represent it in a digital media art form would be an innovative experience for rejuvenating the old culture, as well as transforming and enriching the future one.

To my understanding, the "Book of Changes" translates this ordered universe into a system of parallel symbols, sixty-four hexagrams, which express the various human situations. From the Chinese perspective, all phenomenal existence is conditioned by two polarities in contrast—Yin and Yang, which in turn represent two primary cosmic principles that correspond to the dynamic of change. Everything is in a state of transformation within time. Change fills the category of time with the content of natural events. Ultimately, change becomes an organic order corresponding to human nature; change is natural movement, development that can only reverse itself by going against nature.

As a Chinese woman artist living in the western world, I am aware of art, philosophy, and mythology from both cultures. Creating artwork required me to realize my nature and re-study my culture, which is a process of deciphering my life journey.

I want my viewers to enjoy this ancient Chinese cosmic conception by experiencing its new digital "face." I hope that they will look at change, a universal principle, through magical windows into a deep, secondary space, enriched by my cultural and spiritual experience.

MAKING OF THE BOOK

This interactive book was created in Flash. The introduction animation was designed to visualize metaphysical perceptions of how the world was created, according to ancient Chinese folk legend, as well as to introduce the fundamental concept of this book—the dynamic of change.

Since the movement of change is never one-dimensional in direction, to use cyclic movements and symbols represents the quality of infinite change and achieve the best dynamic visual effect for this book. Mandala, a Hindu term for the secret circle, is a universal spiritual symbol. Dynamic Mandalas were composed and animated in order to reach an intensive “burning” point during the performance before letting the viewers arrive at the book content pages. Traditional Chinese opera instrumental music has been incorporated into the project, as well as the Chinese freehand style painting.

The final stage of this interactive project is the book presentation. Surrounded by the sixty-four red hexagrams, the black and white primary universal symbol—Yin and Yang slowly rotates from its origin. Accompanied by the sound of the universe, the nine ancient Chinese symbolic numbers randomly flow in the dark background. All of these are waiting for the viewers to discover this ancient Chinese mystery through a digital interactive framework.