For the latest installment of Exploring the Nexus, we delve into the world of Island6 Collective, also known as Liu Dao (六岛), a Shanghai-based art collective that masterfully blends traditional Chinese themes with cutting-edge technology. Founded in 2006 under the direction of curator Thomas Charvériat, Island6 is renowned for its collaborative approach, drawing on the talents of painters, sculptors, filmmakers, digital artists, engineers, and performers to create works that are as dynamic as they are thought-provoking.
Their interactive art pieces often incorporate LED displays, sensors, and mixed media to explore the intersections of art, technology, and science, all while engaging audiences in playful yet meaningful ways. With exhibitions spanning the globe—from Art Basel to solo showcases in Milan and New York—Island6 has established itself as a leader in new media art.
In this Q&A, the collective shares insights into their creative process, the themes that drive their work, and their vision for the future of art in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Island6 blends art and technology in unique ways. How did this collective come together, and what was the initial vision behind your fusion of mediums?
Island6, or Liu Dao, began seventeen years ago when our founders saw an opportunity to create a space that could support and showcase the artistic talents of both local Chinese and international creators. It started as a residency program in Shanghai, evolving into a collaborative art lab driven by cross-disciplinary creation. The initial vision was rooted in a passion for merging traditional artistry with cutting-edge technology, setting a foundation for a diverse group of artists to work together on challenging and unconventional projects. Our work became a fusion of mediums to explore future possibilities, allowing each artist’s unique expertise to create something fun, innovative, and impactful.
Your use of LED art is quite distinctive. How did you come to adopt LED as a primary medium, and what draws you to it over more traditional forms?
Our LED work began as an experimental exploration into how technology could bring our concepts to life in a more dynamic and engaging way. LED art enables us to merge physical installations with digital animations, infusing our pieces with a sense of interactivity and movement that traditional forms couldn’t quite capture. With LEDs, we can manipulate light and color to create a hypnotic visual experience that conveys humor, irony, or commentary with immediacy.
At island6, we don’t take ourselves too seriously—we’re here to experiment, play, and push creative boundaries. The versatility of LEDs makes them perfect for this; they evolve with our ideas and keep up with our constant innovation. We’re always trying out new mediums and approaches, and our collective is as much about having fun as it is about making art. Our style is hard to define because we’re always changing, but at its core, island6 art remains lighthearted and playful, keeping audiences surprised and entertained.
Can you explain the significance of your collective’s connection to Liu Dao, the fictional island you refer to in your work? What does it represent?
At island6, we like to think that while no artist is an island, together, we create one. Liu Dao, our fictional island, serves as a metaphorical refuge where creativity flourishes and collaboration thrives. It represents a space where diverse voices come together to form a vibrant community, much like an archipelago of ideas bobbing on the waves of inspiration.
This concept plays with the irony that, in our hyper-connected world, artists often find themselves feeling isolated in their individual pursuits. Liu Dao encapsulates the idea that true creativity is never a solitary endeavor; it’s a tapestry woven from the threads of shared experiences, dialogue, and collaboration. Just as islands in an ocean can have unique ecosystems, our collective brings together varied perspectives, skills, and artistic practices to cultivate a dynamic environment where innovation can thrive.
Philosophically, Liu Dao prompts us to ponder the nature of connection in a world where it sometimes feels like we’re drifting apart. It’s a reminder that even amidst the chaos of urban life, we can create sanctuaries of creativity and joy. In this playful and whimsical realm, we explore the absurdities of existence while celebrating the beauty of our interconnectedness. Our work invites viewers to step onto our island, where the boundaries of art, technology, and human experience blur, encouraging them to engage in a dialogue that is as enriching as it is entertaining.
Ultimately, island6 symbolizes not just a geographical location but an ethos of collaboration, curiosity, and community. It encourages us to embrace the unpredictable currents of creativity and to relish the journey of discovery, knowing that while we may be individuals navigating our own paths, together we create something extraordinary—a vibrant, living artwork that reflects the ever-evolving narrative of life itself.
Your work often incorporates digital imagery with traditional Chinese aesthetics. How do you see your art navigating the intersection of tradition and modernity?
We believe tradition and modernity aren’t opposites—they inform and enhance each other. Incorporating traditional Chinese elements, like Shikumen Lane Houses or Jian Zhi papercut styles, gives our work cultural depth and a touch of nostalgia. When these are integrated with digital elements, such as animated LCD screens, they become reflections of China’s rapid modernization and technological evolution. It’s a conversation between past and future, where the blending of these elements celebrates heritage while embracing contemporary innovation.
At island6, we’re inspired by the idea of time as a nonlinear force—one that connects us across generations. In physics, time is more than a sequence of events; it’s a dimension in which the past, present, and future coexist. Our work draws on this concept by uniting ancient traditions with digital techniques, inviting viewers to experience them as one and the same. The past reflects the future and vice versa, creating a visual dialogue that acknowledges where we’ve been while imagining where we’re going. In our pieces, tradition and modernity aren’t just merged; they’re continuously reshaped, as if in a timeless dance.
The idea of movement and flux is prominent in your art. What are you trying to convey about the nature of contemporary life through these themes?
Our exploration of movement and flux reflects the speed and impermanence of contemporary life. With LED animations, shifting lights, LCD screens and dynamic installations, we’re representing how people today navigate a fast-paced, interconnected world. Each piece is a visual commentary on change—how it’s inevitable and constant, and how we, as individuals, are always in a state of adaptation, flux, and sometimes, even imbalance. This serves as both a tribute and a critique of modern life.
Inspired by Daoist philosophy, particularly wu wei (無爲)—the concept of “effortless action” or going with the natural flow—our art embodies the metaphor of a fish swimming with the current, adapting to its direction rather than resisting it. This symbolizes how harmony can be found by embracing change, rather than fighting against it. By capturing this sense of continuity, we explore the delicate balance between resilience and acceptance in contemporary life, inviting viewers to reflect on how to move forward with grace in a world that never stops shifting.
Many of your installations play with the idea of voyeurism and surveillance. What inspired you to explore these themes, and what are you hoping to reveal through them?
Our fascination with surveillance themes reflects the reality of modern urban life, where privacy is often blurred by constant visibility, whether through social media or the city’s endless cameras. Surveillance was also a central theme in one of our past exhibitions, “Welcome To The Neighborhood” 2022 where we explored how curiosity and wonder drive people to watch and, in turn, be watched. We invited viewers to question their own participation in a society that constantly observes, tapping into the fundamental human experience of curiosity. By examining the duality of being both spectator and subject, we aim to reveal the vulnerability inherent in being watched, as well as the subtle ways we all become complicit in observing others. Ultimately, it’s an exploration of our shared impulse to seek connection and understanding — however fleeting — by glimpsing into each other’s lives. Humans are endlessly interesting, and who can blame us for wanting to explore our curiosity, right?
There seems to be a hint of resignation to some of the current works. For example, “Air Dried Chicken” alludes to the notion of Sisyphean tasks and accepting fate and existence being what it is. ”Angel’s Lace” hints at being trapped while “The beat My Heart Skipped” alludes to escape which in turn implies being trapped. The hard borders of each image’s frame further drives home feelings of being restricted and isolated. Can you speak to that?
These themes resonate with a sense of existentialism—of life’s repetition and sometimes limiting cycles. In works like “Air Dried Chicken,” we touch on the idea that while individuals strive for change, many of life’s routines remain cyclic, evoking a sense of acceptance of things we cannot change. Pieces like “Angel’s Lace” underscore this feeling, exploring a desire to escape while being bound to life’s realities. We’re interested in balancing playfulness with more profound reflections, and sometimes, that means confronting viewers with their own sense of restriction.
Moreover, our art embraces the duality of life; we understand that light is defined by darkness, and one cannot exist without the other. While some may interpret our works as pessimistic or resigned, we believe they actually celebrate the complexity of existence. Life is not solely about bright colors and carefree moments — there’s a certain seriousness that enriches our experiences and allows for humor to emerge. It’s this intricate interplay between joy and struggle, freedom and confinement, that makes life interesting and worth living. By acknowledging all aspects of the human experience, we invite viewers to find meaning in the contrasts and to recognize that acceptance and resilience can coexist with a playful spirit.
Your works often explore the intersection of digital and physical worlds. How do you see the evolution of color in digital spaces influencing the perception of your art when viewed in physical spaces?
Digital color has an intensity that can be difficult to capture through physical mediums. In our LED and LCD screen works, for example, we use vibrant colors that sometimes feel otherworldly, contrasting with the softer, textured hues of physical materials. The LCD screens allow us to experiment with a broader spectrum and precision of hues, creating gradients and tones that seem to glow from within, evoking an almost hypnotic effect. This interplay creates a visual tension, asking viewers to reconcile the hyper-real digital with the more tactile physical world. In many ways, the evolution of color digitally invites a redefinition of how we experience color and encourages viewers to question the difference between what feels real and what doesn’t.
With digital technology constantly pushing the boundaries of what colors can be created and displayed, have you noticed any differences in how audiences respond to the colors in your digital pieces versus your physical installations?
Audiences often have a visceral reaction to our digital pieces—the intensity of digital colors can be quite captivating. Physical installations, on the other hand, evoke a different kind of appreciation. The colors in physical pieces carry a texture and warmth that’s often grounding, offering a counterpoint to the vivid digital displays. We’ve noticed that viewers often linger longer on physical pieces, exploring the nuances of the craft, while digital colors create an instant emotional response, drawing viewers in with their surreal vibrancy.
Our art is inherently interactive, inviting viewers to become participants rather than mere observers. We encourage them to insert themselves into the experience in their own unique ways, transforming their engagement with the artwork into a communal experience. This interactivity fosters a deeper connection with both the colors and the themes we explore, as audiences discover how the art resonates with their personal narratives. By breaking down the barriers between the artwork and the viewer, we enhance the emotional impact of both our digital and physical pieces, creating a dynamic dialogue that enriches the overall experience.
What is next for the collective?
We’re always evolving, and right now, we’re in the brainstorming phase of an exciting new exhibition centered around the theme of femininity in a very cyber world. The creative machine at island6 never truly turns off; we are constantly experimenting with new ideas and processes. Whether it’s exploring calligraphy projects that blend traditional techniques with contemporary digital practices or delving into themes that reflect the complexities of modern life, our work is a testament to the boundless nature of creativity.
The creative process is an integral part of our identity as artists—it’s a dynamic flow that mirrors the rhythms of life itself. Just as the tides ebb and flow, our inspiration and innovation are in constant motion, responding to the world around us. We find joy in this perpetual state of exploration, knowing that every idea, every experiment, is a step toward something new and unexpected.
Our upcoming exhibition will not only celebrate femininity but also reflect on how this theme is reshaped within our increasingly digital landscape. It’s an invitation to engage with dialogues around gender, identity, and technology — topics that are more relevant than ever. We hope to create a space that inspires reflection and connection, reminding everyone that the creative journey is an endless one, filled with possibilities and playful surprises. In a world where change is the only constant, we are excited to keep pushing boundaries and exploring the depths of our imagination.
ALL IMAGE CREDITS: Island6.
Leave a Reply