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 AMNC 2023
Tianjin, China

Krista Kim

Ryoanji Temple Garden (Origin Story)

During a significant chapter of my life, spanning three and a half years, I had the privilege of residing in Tokyo. It was a time of exploration and inspiration, and one of my most cherished routines was making frequent visits to Kyoto. One spot in particular etched a deep impression on my heart - the Ryoanji Temple garden, an eminent Zen garden with a rich heritage stretching back centuries. It was created in the late 15th century, making it over 500 years old. 

It was within this sacred sanctuary that I experienced a profound revelation, an artistic epiphany that still echoes in my work today. The garden, with its careful arrangement of rocks and meticulously raked gravel, was not merely a sight to behold, it was an experience. The tranquility, the symbolism, the sense of being utterly present in the moment – it was a wholly immersive experience of Zen.

This realization sparked a transformative understanding within me: art is not only a form of self-expression but also a service to humanity. Over 500 years ago, the Zen monks created this space of tranquility and introspection, guiding us towards a more profound understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Immersive art experiences can foster unity, heal, inspire, and help us navigate the complexities of human experience.

I have since been guided by this deep understanding, striving to mirror the service rendered by the sacred space of the Ryoanji Temple garden in my own artistic endeavors.  

During my pursuit of a Master of Arts degree in Fine Arts at La Salle College of the Arts in Singapore, I felt a compelling urge to weave together the realms of the digital and spiritual. My vision was to manifest Zen experiences within the digital expanse of the screen.

It became clear to me that my purpose as an artist is to create immersive Zen experiences in the digital realm, on the screen, and now, using the power of AI, into the metaverse. To bring ancient wisdom into the modern age.

“Continuum” Times Square

In 2017, I embarked on a deeply personal and transformative journey that led to the creation of "Continuum." I had sensed an overwhelming sense of disconnection and loneliness that seemed to pervade our modern society, exacerbated by the very technologies that were designed to connect us. With the pervasive use of digital screens, it was as if we were becoming more intertwined algorithms on our devices than with each other.

"Continuum" was born out of a profound desire to bridge this digital-human gap and to restore a sense of balance and connectedness. It was not just an artwork but a mission, an attempt to reintroduce Zen principles into our increasingly digitized existence.

Drawing upon my experiences in the tranquil Ryoanji Temple garden and my fascination with the vast potential of the digital medium, I set out to create an immersive Zen experience using digital screens. I wanted to challenge the assumption that screens were merely tools for distraction or disconnection. Instead, I saw them as immersive experiences, conduits through which we could transport ourselves to a state of tranquility, mindfulness, and deep connection with our inner selves.

Creating "Continuum" involved layering subtle gradients and incorporating slow transitions, generating a sense of visual harmony and fluidity. The artwork is designed to subtly shift and evolve over time, creating an ever-changing, dynamic Zen landscape that invites viewers to slow down, observe, and ultimately connect with the present moment.

Here is a post on TikTok about Continuum, and the public comments are overwhelmingly positive: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZM2ReeQC8/

Many people asked why this was not a permanent installation for the city, to improve the wellbeing of the people of New York, an artwork that is of service to the community, like the Ryoanji Temple Garden.   

In this way, "Continuum" is more than just a digital artwork. It is a reflection of our collective longing for connection and a beacon of serenity in our frenetic digital age. Through this piece, I hope to inspire a shift in how we perceive and interact with our digital interfaces, transforming them from sources of distraction into spaces for reflection, peace, and profound human connection.