Gene Chen

1. Your practice revolves around "archiving the flow of time and space." Could you delve into how you approach this concept through your art and what drives your fascination with preserving moments in time?

A: My approach to "archiving the flow of time and space" involves using special digital techniques to capture moments in time, preserving the essence of specific periods within defined spaces. I'm fascinated by the idea of connecting the present with the past and exploring how these preserved instants hold profound narratives. It's about capturing not just isolated moments but the multifaceted aspects of the present.

2. Your journey began with honing technical skills but evolved to explore human connections, individual identity, and urban environments. How has this transition shaped your perspective on the power of documenting moments, and what have you discovered about the narratives they hold?

A: Initially, I focused on honing my technical skills, but my journey evolved to delve into human connections, individual identity, and urban environments. This transition has shifted my perspective on the power of documenting moments. I've discovered that these moments hold intricate narratives about society, culture, and individual experiences, and they offer a unique lens through which we can understand the world.

3. In your exploration of the present, you seek to capture not just moments but the essence of specific periods within defined spaces. How do you bridge the gap between the instantaneous and the multidimensional in your photography?

A: To bridge the gap between the instantaneous and the multidimensional in my photography, I employ special digital techniques. These methods allow me to capture a small segment of time and space, preserving the essence of a specific period within a defined space. It's about going beyond freezing a single moment and creating a multidimensional representation of the present.

4. Your work challenges conventional notions of time and space. Can you explain how you accomplish this through your art and what you hope viewers will gain from this unique perspective?

A: I challenge conventional notions of time and space by capturing the essence of specific periods within defined spaces using innovative special digital techniques. I hope viewers will gain a new perspective on the fluidity of our experiences, transcending the limits of traditional photography and engaging with a deeper dimension of time and space.

5. Growing up in Taipei and residing in London, your photography has focused on the streets of Taipei. Could you describe what makes Taipei's urban landscapes unique and why you find them intriguing to document?

A: Taipei's urban landscapes are unique because they embody what I describe as "organised chaos." This juxtaposition of disorder and order creates a captivating atmosphere that I find intriguing to document. It's a reflection of the city's character and its ability to maintain order amidst apparent chaos.

6. Your description of Taipei's streets as 'organised chaos' is captivating. Can you elaborate on how you capture this sense of ordered disorder in your photography and what it reveals about the city's character?

A: I capture the sense of "organised chaos" in Taipei's streets by selecting specific details and moments that showcase the collision between disorder and order. It reveals the city's character by highlighting the way people adhere to order within a seemingly chaotic environment.

7. In your selection of eight photographs for this exhibition, what criteria guided your choices, and what stories or themes do these particular images convey?

A: The criteria for selecting the eight photographs for this exhibition were based on their ability to convey the unique quality of "organised chaos" in Taipei's streets. Each image tells a story of how order and disorder coexist, and together, they create a narrative about the city's character.

8. Could you share some insights into your creative process when documenting urban environments and streets? How do you balance the technical aspects of photography with your artistic vision?

A: My creative process when documenting urban environments and streets involves balancing the technical aspects of photography with my artistic vision. I use special digital techniques to capture moments in time while also paying attention to the emotional connections within these compressed existences. It's about finding the right balance between technique and emotion.

9. The notion of capturing moments in time raises questions about the passage of time itself. How do you navigate the temporal aspect of your work, and what does it reveal about the fluidity of our experiences?

A: Navigating the temporal aspect of my work involves capturing moments in time and exploring the fluidity of our experiences. My photography goes beyond freezing isolated moments and delves into the essence of specific periods, allowing viewers to contemplate the passage of time itself.

10. As an artist who bridges the gap between different cultures and cities, how has this duality influenced your artistic perspective, and do you see any recurring themes or contrasts in your work as a result?

A: My duality of living in Taipei and London has influenced my artistic perspective by providing a unique lens through which I view different cultures and cities. While there are recurring themes and contrasts in my work, they reflect the intersections and connections between these two worlds.

11. Your focus on human connections and urban spaces suggests a profound engagement with the human experience. How do you hope your viewers will connect with and interpret the narratives embedded in your photographs?

A: I hope viewers will connect with and interpret the narratives embedded in my photographs by exploring the intricate web of human connections, individual identity, and urban environments. It's about engaging with the human experience and discovering the stories within each image.

12. Looking ahead, what themes or directions are you considering for your artistic practice, and how do you envision your work evolving to continue archiving the flow of time and space in new and innovative ways?

A: I plan to continue archiving the flow of time and space in new and innovative ways. I aim to explore different themes and directions in my artistic practice, always seeking to push the boundaries of conventional photography and challenge our perceptions of time and space.