Rayafuturism. Immersive Digital Art Exhibition

Rayafuturism could be envisioned as a cultural and artistic movement that explores futuristic narratives rooted in the diverse cultures and histories of the Southeast Asia region. This speculative framework might involve the integration of traditional Southeast Asian aesthetics, philosophies, and stories into futuristic settings, creating a unique blend of technology, mythology, and cultural identity.

In Rayafuturism, artists, writers, and creators might imagine alternative futures where Southeast Asian societies have harnessed advanced technologies while retaining and celebrating their cultural heritage. This could include speculative visions of sustainable cities, innovative technologies inspired by traditional practices, and narratives that address social, environmental, and political challenges specific to the region.

The movement might also serve as a platform for addressing issues such as globalization, cultural preservation, and the intersection of tradition and modernity. Through various forms of artistic expression, Rayafuturism could offer a space for envisioning inclusive, empowering, and culturally resonant futures for the diverse communities within Southeast Asia.

Again, this is a speculative interpretation based on the information provided, and the actual concept of "Rayafuturism" may have different nuances and interpretations depending on its origin and development within the cultural and artistic communities of Southeast Asia.

Rayafuturism could be seen as a cultural and artistic movement that envisions and explores alternative futures for Southeast Asia, drawing inspiration from the rich tapestry of cultures, histories, and traditions within the region.

Curatorial Statement


Inspired by the concept of Afrofuturism, Rayafuturism embraces the vibrant heritage and dynamic future of Southeast Asia through the lens of advanced artificial intelligence.

This unique exhibition features the innovative works of two pioneering AI-based artists, Zhonkvision from Malaysia and C.L.V.X from Indonesia. Together, they explore speculative visions and paint a visually rich narrative of how Southeast Asian cultures might evolve and adapt in the future. By training their AI models with elements of traditional folklore, urban motifs, and natural landscapes, these artists create stunning digital canvases that speculate on future technologies, societal changes, and environmental shifts.

The exhibition not only questions the future role of Southeast Asian cultures in a globalized, technologically advanced world but also celebrates the imaginative potential of AI as a collaborator in the creative process. This exhibition promises an evocative journey through a realm where tradition meets imagination, encouraging us all to envision and inspire the paths our cultures may take.

---

Artist

Zhonk Vision
Malaysia
—

Malaysian artist Zhonk Vision works in both motion and AI-generated mediums to show ideas of exploration through a series of prompts that make you think of dreams and fantasies.

He has years of experience making digital art, codes, and designs. He has also gone through a number of journeys with A.I., visual design, and projection mapping. Zhonk creates visual designs using a variety of experimental diffusion models in order to demonstrate his dreams and his desire to explore. He has also been using all of these mediums for music performance and projection mapping.

He has also worked alongside various bands, DJs, and cultural shows to make immersive audiovisual performances.

Artwork 



BelantaRaya

Digital Art
AI Generative Art
Tools : After Effects, Stable Diffusion, Photoshop, GarageBand
2024
—

In the heart of BelantaRaya, architectural structures adorned with intricate designs reminiscent of ancient Southeast Asian patterns stretch towards the sky. These buildings, constructed from sustainable materials and integrated with renewable energy sources such as hydrogen power and solar panels, blend harmoniously with the verdant surroundings. 

Solar panels adorn rooftops, capturing the sun’s rays, while hydrogen power provides an additional clean energy source, ensuring the city’s self sufficiency. The inhabitants of BelantaRaya live in harmony with nature, embracing eco-friendly practices and innovative technologies to ensure their self sufficiency. Vertical gardens cover the walls of buildings, providing fresh produce and purifying the air. Waterways wind through the city, not only serving as transportation routes but also as natural habitats for diverse aquatic life.


In my workflow, I used Adobe After Effects, Adobe Photoshop and GarageBand to bring to life the assets such as drawings, characters, and moving images, generated from AI platforms like Midjourney and Stable Diffusion. 

These assets, through the lens of artificial intelligence, emphasize human-machine collaboration, envisioning a future similar to the depiction of ‘BelantaRaya.’ 

Artist

C.L.V.X
Indonesia
—

Rudi Kurnia (also known as Kuclux) was born on August 19th 1988 (34 years old) in Bandung City, West Java Province, Indonesia. He is an Indonesian visual artist who is well-experienced and also has flexible expertises in all over digital-based visual arts sectors (motion graphics, assets modeling, animations, visual jockeys, video mappings, live multimedia shows, NFT projects, etc.).


He shades his creative activities under C.L.V.X umbrella name, that means “Creations, Literacies, Visualizations, & combinatives between three of these” (the ‘X’ as intersections symbol). Beside that, C.L.V.X could be an altered-name of ‘CLUX’ (acronym of Kuclux, his nickname).


Beside continuous works as a professional Visual Artist and Founder of UVISUAL Studio, Kuclux also Lectures at Faculty of Visual Communication Design, University of Bina Nusantara (BINUS), Indonesia.

Artwork 



Earth Mother/ Mother Natura #4
Digital Art
AI Generative Art
Tools : After Effects, Stable Diffusion, Photoshop
2024
—

Originating from the belief in Mother Earth or nature, where we stand, myths and their formation believed by some mythologies depict a female figure or goddess. Particularly in Southeast Asia, where the majority are agrarian societies and rice is one of the staple foods. This also influences cultures and myths, where some civilizations believe in goddesses associated with rice. They provide rice to humans and teach them how to cultivate it. The ritual and cultural use of rice occurs in Malaysia, India, China, Thailand, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. For example, in Malaysia, there's the tale of Bambarazon, the Goddess Welas Asih, and Huminodun, who willingly sacrificed themselves and became offerings to the earth. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, especially in Sundanese mythology, there is a goddess named Nyi Pohaci.

This video work is inspired by one of the myths and cultures surrounding rice and the goddess named Nyi Pohaci. She is considered the highest and most important deity for agrarian communities. It is believed that she can control the food supply on earth, especially rice, the staple food of Indonesian society. Therefore, she governs life, wealth, and prosperity, as well as poverty, famine, pestilence, and even death. Legend has it that the world was formed from a tear of the god of the underworld, which transformed into an egg and then into a beautiful girl. 

Eventually, upon her death, the heavens or the upper world ordered her body to be buried in the middle world (the realm of humans). And from her body grew various plants that were later discovered and proven to be very useful for human life, one of which was rice, grown from her eyes. Perhaps this story is merely a myth or legend, but it has given rise to various traditions and cultures, such as harvest festivals, as expressions of how people in ancient times showed appreciation and gratitude to nature. As humans, we must think more about how to harmonize our ego, needs, and abilities to adapt with nature in order to build a harmonious life. Technically, this video uses several methods, including creating two dimensional artwork designs, three-dimensional characters and motion graphics, and then processing them with Artificial Intelligence (Al) generated images and videos. Then the next step is to composite some of the methods into a single animated video.

Curators & Writers


Abdul Shakir
Abdul Shakir, also known as 'Grasshopper,' is an interdisciplinary multimedia digital artist and a co-founder of Filamen, a growing new media art collective based in Selangor, Malaysia. Shakir focuses on creating projection mapping, light installation, and interactive installation projects that explore new avenues of artistic expression.

Drawing on his experience in post-production and production agencies, Shakir has contributed to various design and art projects, including graphic design, motion graphics, projection mapping, and interactive installations. Additionally, Shakir has showcased his work at local festivals like the Urbanscapes Art Festival, Rainforest in the City, and the George Town Festival, as well as international events like the Singapore Night Festival. He's also had the opportunity to participate in art residencies at Rimbun Dahan and PORT, which have further fueled his creative journey.



Ammar Shahid
Amar Shahid is a Southeast Asia-based practicing artist, with specialty in linguistics and multi-disciplinary arts. His current work focuses on the intricacies of socio-linguist history with regards to the Southeast Asian social and cultural sphere. This concern in cultural themes often led him to allow the medium to speak for itself. Resulting works are often fluctuating between the traditional and the futuristic.

Working both in conventional and experimental media, he aims to reflect on the conflicts of cultures and their ecosystems based on his personal anecdotes on the vernacular and conservative educational background of his Malaysian hometown. This clash in values and doctrines shape his works and writings towards a uniquely Southeast Asian narrative.