Yi Jiun Hung

1. Could you share how your background in spatial design and interior architecture has influenced your transition into object making and art, and how it shapes your unique artistic perspective?

A: When I was involved in spatial design, besides considering walls and ceilings, I also needed to design objects within the space. During this process, I gradually discovered my unique emotional connection to designing objects. I enjoyed translating the lines and elements of large spaces into small objects and found immense satisfaction in this process.

As I engaged in construction work, I became increasingly aware of the enormous amount of materials used in interior decoration. Nowadays, people don't tend to stay in one space for several decades as they once did. Some spaces are renovated or completely redone within just a few years. This led me to contemplate the meaning of designing these spaces. Decorations cannot be taken with us when we leave, but objects, from my perspective, possess sustainability and can be carried along. Objects tend to hold a deeper connection, meaning, or memory for people compared to spaces. I aspire to create objects that are unique and meaningful.

2. Your passion for experimenting with materials, structures, and forms to establish identity is evident. How do you navigate the balance between pushing creative boundaries and maintaining a sense of functionality in your furniture and object designs?

A: When I work, I don't initially designate whether they are furniture or objects. I begin by drawing what I envision, and perhaps because I regard them as unknown beings in my imagination, they tend to remain neutral.

3. "Take the biscuits" introduces the concept of anthropomorphised objects with unique personalities. Could you elaborate on how you give life to these objects and create scenarios through experimental materials?

A: I believe it's the lines that make them seem lifelike, breaking away from the conventional forms we associate with furniture and objects. Unexpected materials grant them unique personalities.

4. The Unknown Beings series challenges traditional material expectations. Could you delve into your approach to using biological materials and how it defies conventional notions of materials in design?

A: This series leans towards functional art. For "Take the Biscuits", I experimented with organic materials that I had been researching. These materials can create a distinct texture and, at the same time, repair surfaces. In the future, if you decide you don't want them anymore, they can be decomposed and reused. I hope these objects can have sustainable significance and be intriguingly special.

5. "Take the biscuits" offers portable dialogue through object movement. How do you envision these objects engaging in conversation and interaction when placed in different locations?

A: Objects placed in different spaces will naturally engage in different interactions. The intriguing aspect is that you never know who will place them in what kind of space. The distinct personalities of "Take the Biscuits" will naturally lead to different collisions and dialogues in varying spatial settings.

6. The concept of anthropomorphised objects can carry various interpretations. Could you share some of the emotions or narratives you hope to evoke from your audience when they encounter these unique beings?

A: I hope these objects can bring out the pure and childlike side of people. When viewers look at them, they can naturally be transported into a parallel dimension, finding them amusing and healing.

7. Your artistic statement mentions allowing the audience to imagine, think, and define the objects' meaning. How do you perceive the role of the viewer in completing the narrative of your creations?

A: I perceive that viewers' imaginations as they look at these objects can lead to different scenes and dialogues, simultaneously infusing these objects with vitality.

8. Looking ahead, how do you envision the evolution of your interdisciplinary practice, and what impact would you like your art to have on the way people perceive objects, materials, and the spaces they inhabit?

A: Concerning the shaping of spaces, I have always believed in using different objects to create spaces. I hope these objects can help people craft their unique spatial scenarios.