The digital art space is a dynamic and ever-evolving field where technology and creativity converge to produce stunning visual experiences. In this realm, digital tools and platforms empower artists and designers to create, share, and interact with art in unprecedented ways. Yang Rui stands out as a prominent figure in this space, exemplifying the seamless blend of digital and physical worlds through his work.
Rui’s journey from Shanghai, China, to becoming a self-taught artist and designer is both inspiring and instructive. His early career in an advertising agency exposed him to a wide array of digital technologies and aesthetic styles, which he skillfully integrates into his art and design projects. This diverse background has enabled him to develop a unique artistic voice that resonates with a broad audience.
Rui’s art, characterized by its surrealistic elements, offers viewers an emotional and immersive experience. His pieces explore the intersection of digital and physical realms, extending into various forms of interaction such as magazines, books, and physical installations. Despite the growing popularity of AI-generated art, Rui remains cautious about its long-term appeal, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and sustainability in art.
To gain deeper insights into his creative process, we chatted with Rui.
FORM: Who are you and where are you from? What is your background and upbringing? How did it impact who you are and what you do today?
RUI: I am Yang Rui from Shanghai, China. The opportunity to start creating art was actually self-taught. I worked in an advertising agency in the early days, starting from planning and 3D art, and began to be exposed to different digital technologies and aesthetic styles. I think that my experience in the advertising agency gave me the opportunity to think about art creation from multiple perspectives, and I was able to figure out my own unique way of creating art from a non-scientific background.
FORM: When creating pieces, how do you conceptualize the blend between artistry and wearability?
RUI: My intention is to create a direct connection and interaction between the style of art I am expressing and the person experiencing it. This interaction allows the viewer to have the most direct experience of my work, so I incorporate considerations of wearability into each physical installation. I believe that a good artwork is one that can be felt and co-created by the public in a variety of forms.
FORM: How has technology impacted creation for contemporary artists and designers? How do you think the rise of AI has affected the industry and your creative process?
RUI: Technology is a convenient and fast medium for young creators to find their personal style in the current era of rapid change of information on the Internet. I have always embraced technology with the desire to keep exploring it, and it is also a necessary means for me to be commissioned to do commercial advertisements in my spare time.
I feel that various applications in China are beginning to explore the possibilities of artificial intelligence, and I will combine it with my creations when the means are relatively mature, a stage that I think will come soon.
Balancing aesthetics with functionality is a perpetual goal in Yang's work. He is acutely aware of the environmental impact of art, particularly the waste and pollution generated by non-recyclable printed sculptures. This concern drives him to explore sustainable materials and long-term storage solutions, striving to create art that is both beautiful and practical. His commitment to sustainability reflects a deeper understanding of art’s role in society and its potential for positive change.
FORM: How do you ensure that your 3D designs are both aesthetically pleasing and functional?
RUI: This issue has always been a goal that I want to pursue in each of my works. I am concerned about the waste and pollution of many printed sculptures that cannot be sustainably recycled after use, and that they often cannot be stored for long periods of time and collected to enhance their value, as in the case of archived clothing. I am now ready to explore the creation of environmentally friendly materials and long-term storage, so that the sculpture can be balanced between modeling and practicality.
FORM: Your work maintains a touch of surrealism, how do you create emotions and experiences with the viewer through the storytelling and ambiance of your art?
RUI: Whether online or offline, the digital image is the base and core of the work and is indispensable. The digital medium is used to realize and complete creative concepts, which are then used to extend diverse forms of fusion and interaction. For example, making magazines and books is not to create an artist's catalogue, but to look at it from the perspective of a physical installation of digital images, which may be considered one of the characteristics of my creations. In the past few years, it has been popular to use AI tools to make things, especially some graphic design, filming, and static type of projects, while dynamic content is relatively less because of the difficulty of substitution. But I sense that people are generally less enthusiastic about AI these days, too. I think it's easy to get rid of work just to keep up with what's hot, and doing whatever's popular isn't sustainable.
FORM: Can you explain your sketching and illustration process? How do you translate your ideas into final impactful visual designs?
RUI: I analyze the project properly and sketch it or go out into nature to find some inspiration. This is the same kind of efficient working style that I developed from my early days in advertising agencies. Currently, I explore different mediums. Once my concept is finalized, I find a new medium to work with, each time giving me a new experience. This includes the reason why I collaborate with designers and artists from different fields.
FORM: With the boundless possibilities of the digital world, how do you know when and if work is ever complete? Is it important for you to maintain an archive of your art, why or why not?
RUI: In my projects with brands, I define the time and the amount of work I have to do, and I finish them on time with as much quality as possible within the timeframe. For my personal creations, I don't plan this time exactly. I leave these creations for a while and think about the new inspirations they will give me. Archiving is very important to me because my art projects are between physical sculpture and digital video, and I have to control the ratio and balance of their distribution.
Collaborating with renowned brands like Nike has been a transformative experience for Yang. The Nike team's respect for artists and openness to creativity resonate deeply with him, influencing a new generation of young artists in China. Programs like Air Max Outside the Lines exemplify how commercial collaborations can harmonize with personal artistic vision. These experiences have enriched Yang's understanding of art and expanded his horizons, demonstrating that commercial and personal art can coexist and thrive.
FORM: How do you approach the process of creating a new design for a collaboration, such as with Nike, without compromising your authentic and unique creative vision?
RUI: Nike's respect for artists and openness to creativity has influenced a new generation of young artists in China to think and do whatever they feel is right, and the Air Max Outside the Lines program is a great way for me to work with them.
My collaborations with them are not so different from my personal work, but sometimes I have to weigh up whether the brand and my work are better integrated, which has been a challenge for many offline exhibitions. Collaborating with Nike has given me more experience as an artist with commercial brands, and it's been a great growing experience.
Rui’s journey from the streets of Shanghai to the global art stage showcases the power of self-taught creativity and the impact of technology. His story is one of perseverance, innovation, and a pursuit of authenticity. As he explores new frontiers in art, Rui remains an inspiration, proving that true artistry knows no boundaries.
