Living Distance
Living Distance is a fantasy and a mission, in which a wisdom tooth is sent to outer space and back down to Earth again. Carried by a crystalline robotic sculpture called EBIFA, the tooth becomes a newborn entity in outer space. Its performance is about death, body and home, in a world where our science exploration and spiritual journeys are diverging.
Living Distance is a three-part work. It is comprised of the outer space performance, a 2-channel video installation, and a VR experience.
In this technology-infused outer space performance, Xin weaves her tooth’s journey together with her personal inquiry on land. The performance will be represented in a two-channel video installation that mixes documentary footage of the methodical but contingent unfolding of the launch with imagery of the artist performing underwater and in the Texas desert. The installation opens up a space in between the space mission and the dreamlike ceremonies that anoint its passage.
Two-channel digital video
10’ 49” (ENG\CHN subtitle)
In this technology-infused outer space performance, Xin weaves her tooth’s journey together with her personal inquiry on land. The performance is represented in a two channel video installation that mixes documentary footage of the methodical but contingent unfolding of the launch with imagery of the artist performing underwater and in the Texas desert. The installation opens up a space in between the space mission and the dreamlike ceremonies that anoint its passage.
In the VR experience, the audience takes on the role of the tooth and experiences the journey firsthand. A wisdom tooth emerges in darkness, destined to extraction, but its life takes an unexpected turn when it enters another darkness: the infinite of outer space.
Virtual Reality Film
8'32" ( Vive Pro or Oculus Rift, with D-box Motion chair)
A wisdom tooth emerges in darkness, destined to extraction, but its life takes an unexpected turn when it enters another darkness: the infinite of outer space. Using D-box motion chair tech, we simulate a weightless experience. The sense of weightlessness is about detachment, of leaving and being untethered.
“In these works, we “become” different state of beings, objects, and life forms constructed in these worlds…Liu gives life to the inanimate object, articulating a journey from the mouth that by the end of the piece, finds renewal in its own meaning. Enabling space travel in virtual space through the metaphor of the tooth, Liu is offering users the same experience she gave her wisdom tooth, a rebirth of sorts.”
— Andrea S Kim from IndieWire
SELECTED PRESS
LA times | Why artist and engineer Xin Liu sent her wisdom tooth into outer space
Artforum International ｜ Yxta Maya Murray on Xin Liu
e-flux | Artist Artist Cinemas presents Xin Liu, Living Distance, conversation with Emma Enderby
Artforum 艺术论坛 ｜刘昕谈“序章：一颗坠落的牙齿”z
DAZED ｜ 刘昕：一场在太空漫游的表演艺术
Simulation Lab collaborated with Xin Liu Studio to create the immersive VR experience debuted at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival and 2020 SXSW. The story continues.