#Mixed media on wood panel
#Movable installation
90x45cm x3
Intermission
2023
Unfolding the Project
Through a Conversation...
Unfolding the Project
Through a Conversation...
“What do I see through the screen?”
The work is titled Intermission, and it explores the movement associated with screens, and the relationship between people and works.
I was particularly interested in what happens behind the screen—how the creator moves—before the images themselves begin to move on the screen.
While images move within the screen, the creator moves outside of it.I wanted to be an audience member sitting behind the screen’s curtain, simultaneously watching the movements divided by the curtain, and then combining them into a new work.
This raises a question: what happens when the two types of motion are merged instead of separated?
The more things happen at once, the more information multiplies, leading to chaos
-but observing that chaos might also create a new kind of reality.
Through this extension of the theme, I realized the work was fundamentally about perspective.
When I chose to sit beneath the curtain, the world I saw—and thus the work I constructed—naturally reflected that perspective.
Perspective determines what is visible.
In the image, the screen serves as a symbol of “perspective,” while the ball represents “content,” and the two interact through overlapping and obscuring movements.
I liken the first green ball to inspiration or consciousness—
Just like Newton being struck by an apple to discover his theory, or a painter struck by inspiration to create an image, this ball can fall onto anyone’s head.
Each person it strikes—each animator—will create a different work.
The ball can appear anywhere, in any form.
Looking from the left, the right, horizontally, vertically, lying down, sitting cross-legged, with eyes closed…
These are all gestures the small black figures in the image seem to embody.
In my imagination, they move fluidly between the roles of creator, audience, and work—this stems from a series of sketches I did last year exploring their relationships.
These are all gestures the small black figures in the image seem to embody.
In my imagination, they move fluidly between the roles of creator, audience, and work—this stems from a series of sketches I did last year exploring their relationships.
In this complete image, are there hidden narrative or spiritual clues?
How are the small spaces interconnected?
For me, the path of reading can follow the ball’s movement.
Starting from the black circle on the left—“rock, paper, scissors”—a sense of “guessing” enters the creator’s mind:
guessing between creator and audience, between creator and work, between creator and self.
Then, the circle evolves—becoming a head, a form, or other small objects scattered throughout different spaces.
The connections between these spaces are not yet fully revealed.
I plan to connect them through other forms in the future.
For now, perhaps it’s best to imagine them as parts of a Rubik’s cube. (laughs)
This main visual isn’t just a static painting; it’s a “folding screen” that can move.
In this dynamic, opening-screen-like viewing mode, there’s a strong sense of spirit flowing through it.
It feels intentional, not a casual creation.
Could you share some of the ‘thinking’ and ‘energy’ you put into this work?
Hearing you say you felt the spirit gives me energy too! (laughs :)
Indeed, this was not simply a spontaneous creation—it was an attempt shaped by a shift in my overall creative mindset.
I stopped fixating on what to create, and instead began recording what I could perceive.
I tried to shape intangible thoughts into visible forms.
Once I realized this, I felt as if many unseen things wanted to be perceived through me.
This work, in fact, a translation of my entire thought process.
It naturally unfolded across the canvas, following the path of the small ball’s movement.
While creating the background music for the animation,
I also imagined similar trajectories—musical notes bouncing in sync with the visual motion.
Indeed, this was not simply a spontaneous creation—it was an attempt shaped by a shift in my overall creative mindset.
I stopped fixating on what to create, and instead began recording what I could perceive.
I tried to shape intangible thoughts into visible forms.
Once I realized this, I felt as if many unseen things wanted to be perceived through me.
This work, in fact, a translation of my entire thought process.
It naturally unfolded across the canvas, following the path of the small ball’s movement.
While creating the background music for the animation,
I also imagined similar trajectories—musical notes bouncing in sync with the visual motion.
As for my understanding of animation,
this project prompted me to describe it in a more direct way:
Animation is like countless images placed onto a single canvas,
generating motion through sequential playback.
Thinking this way, I immediately connected it to ancient murals -
Murals too are composed of countless images placed onto one surface.
The more I reflect on it, the more I feel that animators and muralists share a similar spirit.
Perhaps ancient mural artists also thought in terms of sequential imagery when they created their works.
Thus, I also view animation as a kind of modern mural art—
The creator practices within an invisible “cave” of their own making, using their work as a way of shaping themselves.
this project prompted me to describe it in a more direct way:
Animation is like countless images placed onto a single canvas,
generating motion through sequential playback.
Thinking this way, I immediately connected it to ancient murals -
Murals too are composed of countless images placed onto one surface.
The more I reflect on it, the more I feel that animators and muralists share a similar spirit.
Perhaps ancient mural artists also thought in terms of sequential imagery when they created their works.
Thus, I also view animation as a kind of modern mural art—
The creator practices within an invisible “cave” of their own making, using their work as a way of shaping themselves.
You designed a clever structure where the artwork can be divided into three parts—each capable of standing alone or recombining freely. When seen as a labyrinth or a kaleidoscope, it feels like countless small windows opening up, creating a sense of breath and space. It feels like many possibilities are still waiting to be discovered.
Thank you for sharing these stories from both inside and outside the screen.
We look forward to your next ‘interlude of motion’!
Thank you for sharing these stories from both inside and outside the screen.
We look forward to your next ‘interlude of motion’!
Thank you for the conversation, Yinan!
Hearing that it feels “breathable”
makes me so happy.
What I just opened -
is indeed the entrance to a new reality:
Hearing that it feels “breathable”
makes me so happy.
What I just opened -
is indeed the entrance to a new reality:
Questions by Liu Yinan
Answers by Yuan Shui
Published at the West Lake Animation Festival
Oct.1 2023