Embracing the Flow of Light and Motion in Art
Initiated and organized by The Bridge Arts Foundation, the 'Beyond Borders' Global Young Artist Open-Call Exhibition is currently being held at The Scholart Selection Art Space in San Gabriel, California, and will run until December 31, 2023.
Bridge Arts Foundation's Art Director, Tia Xu, engaged in a conversation about the exhibition and art with several artists participating in this exhibition. In this interview, we have the pleasure of speaking with artist Alvin Mak, who hails from Hong Kong, China.
—— Q&A ——
Tia Xu: Could you please share your background and what inspired you to pursue a career in art?
Alvin Mak: I was a mechanical engineer working in manufacturing. I was solving problems to help companies make products. When I discovered I could create ideas for myself I became interested in pursuing art.
Alvin Mak, Magnificent Mayhem II, 2023, Color Video, 2 min. , photo courtesy of artist.
Tia: What does "Beyond Borders" mean to you, and how does your work in this exhibition either reflect or challenge this concept?
Alvin: When we were children, we believed we were free to go anywhere and chase any dream. As we grow up, we learn about the world, its different groups, their difference, the biases, and the barriers. I am always interested in the push-pull interaction. Although we are sometimes drawn into the turbulence, I am curious to observe our effort to swim out of the tumult.
Alvin Mak at his computer workstation, photo courtesy of artist.
Tia: Can you tell us the story behind a specific artwork from the exhibition?
Alvin: The “Magnificent Mayhem” is inspired by the observation of the harbor waves. When water collides, it combines, cancels, and makes more waves. Sometimes watching the sea feels like millions of years of land metamorphism.
The world is going through COVID-19 and conflicts in the last decade. The clash of belief and bias coincides with the turbulence of the sea. And after much turmoil, we just go back to where we started to face the next wave.
Alvin Mak working on blender (closeup), photo courtesy of artist.
Tia: How does your cultural background influence your art?
Alvin: I am a Chinese person who was born and raised in Hong Kong, China. I stayed in Canada and New Zealand during my school years and returned to HK and China to work. In addition to aesthetics, I like to observe the contrast in perspectives and perceptions.
Tia: What materials and techniques do you prefer to use in your art, and could you explain your choices?
Alvin: I like to play with light and motion. I began with photography and wandered across print and sculpture design. I experiment with aesthetics to suggest form and flow. When I discovered video art, I am excited to explore the element of motion.
Alvin Mak working on blender (closeup), photo courtesy of artist.
Tia: Can you describe a challenging moment or obstacle you've encountered during your artistic journey and how you successfully overcame it?
Alvin: Evolving and learning new processes can be a real challenge at times. Deriving skill and knowledge from nothing can be a series of fumble that test one’s faith and patience.
When I was learning to design sculptures, I researched a process where I designed in 3D modeling, CNC machined the geometry, and have the foam prototype fabricated into metal sculpture.
The research of each step and the work to link the steps to complete the process took 5 to 6 years. When it was finally proven, we were in the pandemic. Traveling became very difficult with the long border-crossing quarantine. I ended up canceling work and turning down inquiries.
I was already playing with digital video art at the time. It became the only subject I could play with during the time of social distance. I had no experience in filmmaking or animation. A one-hour YouTube lesson usually requires 5 hours to practice. But we were stuck at home, so I got to spend weeks learning the subject. After a number of months, the process began to feel a bit more intuitive and I think I am ready for the next steps of progress.
ABOUT OPEN CALL EXHIBITION PROGRAM
Bridge Arts Foundation's "Beyond Borders" Open Call Exhibition Installation View, Photo: © The Scholart Selection / Luna Hao
Bridge Arts Foundation's Open Call Exhibition Program is designed to provide support for early-career artists. For its inaugural edition, the "Beyond Borders" Open Call Exhibition has thoughtfully selected 18 talented artists from a pool of approximately 350 submissions, employing a selection process that involves art professionals. "Beyond Borders" opens from October 14th to December 31st, 2023.
ABOUT ARTIST
Alvin Mak
Alvin Mak (b.1974) is a self-taught artist based in Hong Kong. He is a prolific visual artist whose works are displayed across Asia. He began his career as a mechanical engineer and has been creating art since 2001. His works explore abstract aesthetics with a variety of mediums to examine the visual-psychological connection.