Wu Wei, 2003

Wu Wei is a fundamental Taoist principle meaning: without action. Above are the traditional Mandarin characters that represent Wu and Wei.

This interactive work requires the participant to act, without acting. Physical stillness combined with contemplative meditation entice the viewer with the different qualities of this 16th Century Chinese painting. The consistent attention given by a viewer will gradually encourage the painting to appear. When the painting has fully appeared, then specific elements begin to animate: clouds roll with the wind, water laps on the rocks, leaves descend from the trees, and birds navigate the horizon. Additionally and almost imperceptively, the sounds of the painting accompanies the animation.

The artwork asks participants to invest a few moments of their time. It does not respond to quick movements or to anyone standing near the bench. In either of these situations, the work will fade out and become silent. Only when the participant direct engages with artwork will it respond.

A camera directly above the bench is used by a computer vision algorithm to track visitor presence and changes in movement. The result then determines the progression or regression of the visual and audio. The cloud, bird, leaf and water animation is pseudo-randomly generated as needed, meaning that it can continue infinitely with looping. This diminishes any noticeable repetition that may occur during the viewer's experience.