Yiou wang
I’m a multimedia visual artist, 3D generalist, and co-founder of Mixanthropy. My work explores nonhuman agency, hybridity, and mind-body relationships including my current focus of the continuous landscape of consciousness across wake and sleep states.
Drawing inspiration from mythology, neuroscience, and biology, I work across 3D animation, game, motion capture, BCI, installation and painting, across mind (intrinsic) and morph & motion (extrinsic). Digital nomads don’t know where they’ll sleep tomorrow.
In a few words, explain what drew you to this project.
Three things drew me to this project: first, the surreal dualism and self-referentiality in dream and wakefulness from Borges’ writings, and second, the double life that I have always lived and perceived from my wake and dream selves; and third, Matthew Spellberg’s research on understanding dream and dream sharing practices in certain North American indigenous cultures. I wish to use a virtual avatar and brain-computer-interface to enliven the continuous consciousness across dream and wakefulness in my project, an extension of the notion of the self and an alternative mind-body relationship.
Q & A
How would you describe your relationship to sleep?
I have a history of insomnia since childhood. In my insomnia, my body is like a volcano and sleep tortures me. But as a grown up, as an overworker, I torture sleep. But besides alternating and reciprocating the abuse, sleep has also been my muse. I can’t even describe how many ideas, images, and poems have emerged from my dreamed self that got carried over to my waking self, when sleep and I are not abusing each other.
Do you tend to remember your dreams?
Yes. They are like immersive films to me. Most of the times I’m the protagonist, sometimes I’m a supporting role, and sometimes I’m the invisible omniscient witness. Sometimes it is incredible how I wake up to a poem my dreamed ego is improvising or someone is narrating to me, and the lines are enigmatic and insightful beyond anything my waking self could ever compose.
Can you sleep "anywhere anytime" or do you need the comfort of your own bed to sleep well?
I cannot guarantee I can sleep well but I am very open to trying to sleep anywhere anytime.
Do you have a recurring dream, or have you ever had any particularly notable recurring dreams?
Yes. Certain scenes, my behaviors, or people repeatedly come to my dreams. One behavior is flying by pushing against earth-bound objects, while feeling acrophobic. Certain people also accompany me in various different dream events and it is incredible how their presence alter my behavioral patterns and ways of speaking. I think everyone has a secret room where the people appearing in their dreams go.
Do you keep a dream journal? Any tips for someone who would like to start one?
Yes. My tip is to capture it the first thing at the moment you wake from the dream. It may be challenging since sometimes it can be early morning and your body is not yet activated enough to feel like doing the writing. But if you don’t capture it at the first recall, you lose details exponentially after another nap. And put the journal in a safe and private place because the contents may surprise you or surprise your partner/family.
What is your favourite [song/podcast/video/audio book/tv show] to fall asleep to?
The song “Sleeping Pills” by Suede.