The Goldmark Cultural Center’s Ruth Andres Gallery is proud to present “Toothopia”, an exhibition of new CGI, videos, and installation works by Goldmark artist Jiatong Yao.
The exhibition is on display from 9/16 - 9/29, with an exhibition reception on Saturday 9/21, from 1pm - 3pm at the Ruth Andres Gallery. Jiatong will be present at the reception to respond to questions and comments about her artwork.
About the Exhibition
"Toothopia" is an innovative series of art practices emerging from a deeply personal exploration of artist life experiences, with teeth serving as both a physical and symbolic anchor.
"Toothopia"encompassing CGI metaverse experiences and AI-enhanced videos, installation. This experimental artistic project delves into the identity, growth, and the complexities of life that are essence of our existence.
My journey with teeth has been one of transformation, pain, and reflection—beginning with the innocence of childhood when my teeth were healthy and free from decay. As I grew, my teeth start to change.
The transition into adolescence was marked by orthodontic procedures that reshaped my face , accompanied by nights of pain and discomfort.
In adulthood, the pressures of life introduced bruxism. The stress-induced grinding of my teeth during sleep became a reflection of my inner turmoil, leading to a heightened awareness of my dental health. The need for protection and the experience of muscle pain upon waking became part of my daily reality. I consider my show as a documentary for the above growth changes.
This exhibition also contemplates the societal standards of beauty that often influence our self-perception. My teeth are not perfectly white or straight, and there are moments when I question the need to conform to these ideals after I found out the diversity of dental expressions, including those seen in teeth accessory, challenges the notion of a singular standard of beauty.
My working process through "Toothopia," if from narrate to use a variety of media, including metaverse experiences, AI-enhanced videos, and installations. In this exhibition, you are invited to immersive in the narrative of teeth—an exploration of identity, growth, and the complexities of life that are etched in the enamel of our being.
About the Artist
Jiatong Yao’s art practice is about the intersection of art and technology, exploring mediums including XR, 3D, AI and interactive computing. In a realm where technology meets creativity, Jiatong Yao crafts experiences that weave together the essence of humanity with the digital age. Her art forms a dialogue between the modern self and technological evolution. With her background in computer science and technical artistry and programming, her work focuses on technological expressions of creativity. Witnessing how information technology changes society and lifestyles, she wants to emphasize a discussion of these changes and understand the essence of humanity in this digital age.