D^4
如果「未知」可以被預知，那未來的意義何在？
時間的存在讓人類得知時序，其作為一種純量（scalar quantity）正被當代科學家密切關注，是物理學其中一個重點研究對象。同時，時間也是眾多模擬軟件的基礎，使用理論公式預測尚未發生的實際現象，借電腦動畫視覺化大量數據，用虛擬鏡頭改變人類觀察現象的角度，減低決策時需要面對的風險。以外出遠行為例，為了可以準時到達目的地，當今人們習慣使用實時交通資訊軟件預計到達時間及制定路線。而這會否把以往具意義的隨機事件變得僵化？日常生活的行為細節都會留下數據痕跡：對話內容、交通紀錄、消費單據、街上數之不盡的攝錄鏡頭和條碼，如今事物的發生都可以被解構成數據媒介之間的互動。人類把自身化成結構中的微細零件，就如數碼影像中的一點像素為組成整體影像在特定位置發亮，建構一幅影像乘載社群的整體目的。
If “Unknown” could be predicted, what would be the meaning of “Future”?
The existence of time provides a sense of time sequence. It is intently studied as a scalar quantity by contemporary scientists. It is one of the most critical topics in Physics nowadays. Also, time is the base element in various simulation software which uses theories and algorithms to predict phenomena in the future. With advanced simulation software, we can visualize a vast amount of data. The virtual camera changes our way of observation, reducing the risk found during decision-making. For example, we use the real-time traffic information application to predict the arrival time of the vehicles and plan the various traveling routes. Although the application may help us avoid all the random events, whether it will create a numb traveling experience. Digital data include conversation records, consuming receipts, countless CCTV cameras and QR codes. Since our behaviour would be converted into the interactions among various digital data, humans transform themselves as the micro components, giving up their own individual judgment. Likewise, the pixel of a digital camera illuminates in a particular position to compose a complete image; construct an image containing the collective purpose.
攝影普遍令人聯想到時間凝結，將過去紀錄到相框之中編織歷史。攝影繼繪畫之後作為重要的影像紀錄，把人類的過去儲存在化合物或電流當中，為人類在特定角度下提供類真實的觀感體驗，其存在的每一刻都在影響當下，甚至未來：被仔細地以動態影像紀錄下來的大戰，令人類能以語言之外的方式理解事件發生的始末，給予人類能夠全盤地想像過去的環境。然而，其近似真實的表現手法也同時給予過去一個統一的總結。在事件經已發生的數十年後，人們還是可以借助科技看着它一次次地回放，經過螢幕不斷強調事件是真實無誤。在一幀一幀的閃爍之間，歷史從充滿想像的故事變得乏味又殘酷。雖然過去化成了一卷卷固態影像，但其依然沒有阻止人類使用它作為想像未來的媒介。
Photography is usually linked with time freezing, recorded and formed history within frames. Developed after the existence of the painting, photography is a crucial visual recording method, storing our past inside chemicals and electronics. Provided an altered reality visual experience, its presence affects the current moment and even the future. To explain, the film recording the war that occurred in the past gave us the ability to visually examine the whole historical events, letting people imagine the past in the manner of “metanarrative”. The narration might create a fixed answer for history. After decades, we may still access those historical visual archives through technology and replay those events once or more, so as to convince ourselves to believe it is the only answer. Frame by frame, therefore a fixed history turns the interesting stories with imagination to monotonous and brutal image records. A bygone era hence converts into rolls of film, but it never stops people from using film as a medium to imagine the future.
當過去和現在都被有系統地歸類量化成為數據，機器運算力同時以幾何級數上升，人類與未知和未來的關係會因為不同的模擬軟件而改變。例如，軟件常以發生在事件（event）上的風險為基礎給予用戶建議。當風險評估完成後，用戶的「未來」變得不再完全「未知」，而是在一定程度之下的認知內作出理性選擇，對於未來的想像不再隨心，而是剩下基於經驗之下的邏輯推理。在此提出一個假設：若果未來存在一個電腦網絡利用周遭及歷史數據預測未發生之事物，它會按個別問題給人類具意義而真實的影像預言。隨着電腦網絡預測的準確度提高，人們作出的選擇會否有所改變？
When the chronological timeline is systematically converted into data through categorisation and quantification, and at the same time computer processing power exponentially increases, the relationship among humans, the unknown and the future will consequently be changed by various simulation software. For instance, software may provide risk management suggestions to the user targeted on the “event”. After that, the users’ “future” becomes not exactly “unknown”. Their choices are restricted based on a specific situation while their imagination towards the future will never be made intuitively again, but rationally. As a hypothesis, there is a computer network which facilitates environmental and historical data for prediction, producing meaningful and realistic imagery prophecies for the users’ question. With the development of the computer network’s accuracy, would people change their decision towards something?
未知正是創造的源動力，因為未知事物而引發的好奇心，往往能創造新知識或以新角度理解事物。若果，人類失去了接受未知的能力，失去了處理內心恐懼的自我調節，那就等於失去大量未來的可能，剩下枯燥結果。人類將會無法接受不受控制的過程，更會變成只以結果為本而盲目勞動。就像一頭野獸在知識森林中遊走，跟隨著慾望的香氣不停奔走，為了得到預測中將會出現的獵物，再也看不到身旁一切，眼前只有那機械像素給予眼球聚焦的影像。
Unknown activates curiosity and creativity, generating new knowledge and new perspectives. On the condition that humans lose the ability to accept the unknown and control fear, we reduce the enormous probability of the future, leaving boring results. As a consequence, we could not overcome an uncontrollable process, and blindly seek success. Similar to a beast that lived in the forest of knowledge, it followed the smell of desire and hunted the predicted prey. Instead of noticing the surroundings, their vision could merely focus on the mechanical pixels.
展覽《時流引光》由此拓展一系列有關時間及影像的新媒體藝術作品。藝術家會在展覽中探索時間、操控光影及重編影像，帶出種種對未來與未知的反思。
展期：2022年10月28日 – 11月19日
時間：10am – 7pm (星期一至星期日)
地點：香港兆基創意書院展覽廳 (香港九龍聯合道135號)
The exhibition "Alter tempo" expands these concepts to a series of new media artworks. In the exhibition, the artist will explore time, manipulate light and shadow, and reprogram images, express his reflections on the future and the unknown.
Exhibition Period : 28 Oct – 19 Nov 2022
Time : 10am – 7pm (Monday to Sundays)
Venue : Gallery, HKICC Lee Shau Kee School of Creativity (135 Junction Rd, Kowloon Tsai)
