chilled drinking water

Material: Silkscreen on styrene, water ink, oil ink

Wei-Ni Lu／Shu Okamoto “Low-Polygon Utopia”

This exhibition explores the phenomenon in which the artificiality of a fake object—its very quality of being recognizably fake—imbues an image with a unique appeal distinct from that of the real thing, using the phrase “low-polygon utopia”as a point of departure.

“Low-polygon” refers to 3D computer graphics models that represent objects with a limited number of polygons (surfaces). Originally developed and widely used due to the limitations of early computer processing power, low-polygon models are now appreciated as an aesthetic in their own right for their simplified and geometric forms. (Hereafter referred to as “low-poly.”)

Although “low-poly” is generally a term used in relation to digital data, real-world objects such as artificial plants, wallpapers and display platforms made by combining pixelated print sheets, as well as inexpensive toys, plush figures, and everyday items with a certain low-quality finish, may also be considered “low-poly” in a broader sense.

Through their artificial appearance, these objects evoke a new kind of attraction distinct from that of the originals. They can also trigger a nostalgic sensation, creating a feeling akin to a distant illusion or a mirage.

This exhibition explores the peculiar emotions and the visual and conceptual appeal evoked by such “low-poly” qualities through the works of two artists.

Text｜Shu Okamoto

English Editing｜Mu-Wei Huang