Scientific progress and parallel universes: Chinese animation at the exposition "Legacy for the Future"
The National Centre RUSSIA offers not only paintings and sculptures by young artists from Russia, China, India, Brazil, Ethiopia, and Iran, but also animated films. These are no ordinary animations — they are crafted with the help of artificial intelligence. Especially for the exposition, works were provided by students from the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute and the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou.
In their works, the authors explore themes of the future, technology, and scientific progress. The young artists grapple with ethical and moral questions, as well as philosophical truths that acquire new meaning over time. Their creative explorations and human emotions are vividly reflected in their animated works.
The animation "Genesis" examines human existence from the perspective of the Universe, for which our entire life is but a fleeting moment. The creators of "Salamander" question what truly distinguishes humans from robots and whether it is ethical to create cyborgs unaware of their own nature. Another unique short film, "Cold Quadrant," delves into the dangers of digitizing human society.
The animation "The Time Traveler" introduces viewers to the charming Sun Yulai, who has the ability to step beyond the boundaries of our world. Audiences follow the heroine's journey and explore an original concept of a parallel universe.
Several works are dedicated to fantasies about future technologies. For example, the piece "Wisely Building a Great State. The East Brightens" uses 3D animation to narrate the story of Kua Fu, a hero of Chinese mythology who sought to catch the sun and bring it to humanity. The ancient legend serves as a metaphor for contemporary Chinese scientific research projects aiming to harness the incredible potential of nuclear energy and create an "artificial sun." Meanwhile, the amusing animated film "The Bionic Laser Bug" introduces viewers to the principles of highly concentrated lasers through a fantastical insect.
"Legacy for the Future" is a large-scale project by the National Centre RUSSIA that supports the idea of multinational dialogue about the future of the world, with humanity at its core. The exposition features works by young artists who reflect on the present, express their perspectives on past events, and ponder the future through their art.
