The exhibition titled Affect, Agency, and Attention: Audiovisual Narratives Sharing ZHdK/ICI opened on November 17 at the Open Museum of the Institute of Creativity and Innovation (ICI), Xiamen University. It is part of an academic exchange programme between the ICI and Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK). The opening ceremony was attended by Dean Qin Jian, Vice Deans Gan Senzhong and He Dongmei of the ICI, former Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University for the Creative Arts in the UK, Terry Perk, Head of the CAST/Audiovisual Media programme at ZHdK Nico Lypitkas, co-curator Stephen Connolly, along with faculty and students.
At the opening ceremony, Dean Qin Jian congratulated the organizers on the successful launch. He noted that ZHdK, one of Europe's largest arts and design universities, wields extensive international influence in artistic and design research. During his visit in June this year, the two institutions exchanged ideas on topics such as design education innovation and cross-cultural collaboration mechanism construction in the context of digital transformation. They also had an in-depth dialogue with Nico Lypitkas, Head of the CAST/Audiovisual Media programme, on the cutting-edge shifts in contemporary audiovisual storytelling grounded in social speculation, and further solidified their mutual intent to expand collaborative pathways. This exhibition, catalyzed by those exchanges, has opened new possibilities for deeper cooperation in the future.
Terry Perk, former Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University for the Creative Arts in the UK, reflected on the "cultural exchange" concept proposed during the initiation phase of the ICI. He pointed out that this collaboration represents a non-traditional “exchange” paradigm: its core lies not in sharing pre-existing things, but in jointly generating new content and meaning when different things converge. The exhibition preface cites scholar Steve Shaviro's discourse on the "generation of affect." He pointed out that such “affect” is evident not only in contemporary media like film and music videos but can even be traced back to early 19th-century "photomontage"—where the juxtaposition of two elements creates something beyond their original identities.
Co-curators Nico Lypitkas and Stephen Connolly elaborated on the curatorial concept of this exhibition. The triad of "Affect, Agency, and Attention" collectively constructs a multifaceted and profound portrait of contemporary audiovisual narrative landscape. These works blur the boundaries between fiction and non-fiction, delving into human emotion and existence within intertwined digital and social realities. The exhibition not only sharpens our perception of self and surroundings but also ignites our agency to intervene in reality, ultimately guiding viewers to reflect upon and even steer the flows of individual and societal attention. These works are not merely illustrations of the themes but represent profound practice and extension of them.
They emphasized that the focus on audiovisual narrative stems from its unique power to transcend language barriers—directly engaging the senses through image, sound, and rhythm to evoke universal human feelings. This vernacular, possessing a universal quality, connects audiences and experiences across cultural divides. The exhibition marks a meaningful encounter between ZHdK and the ICI, showcasing the diversity and richness of cultural and lived experiences. The young creators from both institutions have demonstrated remarkable spiritual resonance and intellectual responsiveness as they observe, contemplate, and interpret their respective environments.
Zhang Jiahang, the leading creator of the exhibited work Virtual Embrace, shared her creative ideas. Through the interweaving of the virtual and the real, the piece profoundly explores how contemporary youth seek emotional compensation and identity recognition through virtual interaction in the digital age. It reflects the profound impact of social media and virtual worlds on interpersonal relationships and self-perception, revealing the underlying loneliness and yearning beneath technological progress.
The exhibition highlights young creators' transformation from documentarians to builders of new narrative paradigms. Through interdisciplinary exchange and practice, it fosters a critical creative community: faculty and students from both institutions, drawing from their respective cultural contexts, generate multifaceted interpretations within an open, experimental framework. This process not only expands the research dimensions of the discussed topics but also cultivates the essential ability to seek understanding across cultural differences and establish oneself through intellectual resonance. Their audiovisual works represent significant milestones in their academic development, demonstrating deep observation and reflection on the real world through curious and passionate creation. These works offer audiences a window into the thoughts and emotions of the younger generation, building bridges for cross-cultural dialogue.
The exhibition remains on view at the ICI Open Museum until December 5, 2025.
OPENING REVIEW
ON THE EXHIBITION
