New York City – October 24, 2024 – Underground Art and Design (UAAD) celebrated its second anniversary with the successful execution of “Jukebox of Dissonance,” a two-day event that brought together a global community of avant-garde practitioners, visionary artists, and subversive creators. The event, held from October 19 to 20, combined performances, panel talks, short films, and hands-on workshops, sparking critical dialogue on the intersections of art, technology, and socio-political issues.
The event opened with the launch of UAAD’s latest Virtual Exhibition, featuring international artists who delve into themes such as digital alienation and speculative ecological futures. The virtual exhibition, accompanied by a guided tour, provided audiences with an immersive experience that interrogated the fractured relationships between memory, technology, and nature. The diverse lineup included artists from China, the USA, Brazil, Japan, and beyond, showcasing works that challenge traditional narratives and provoke new ways of thinking about art and technology.
Virtual Exhibition guided tour. Photo by Chelsea Ning.
The celebration continued with a series of Panel Discussions, where thought leaders from the fields of art, technology, and design engaged in conversations about how artists are using immersive technology and speculative storytelling to address issues like climate change and digital colonization. Notable speakers included multimedia artist Yiou Wang, XR technologist and fire performer Whitt Sellers, computational designer and digital fabricator Wei Wu, interdisciplinary visual artist Schuyler Dragoo, installation artist and AI specialist Sutanuka Jashu, and multidisciplinary artist, writer, and eco-futurist Rachel TonThat. Each panelist offered insights into how their work bridges the gap between human and non-human worlds.
Panel discussion by Whitt Sellers, Wei Wu, and Sutanuka Jashu. Photo by Ziwei Ji.
New-Media Performances concluded the first day, with artists combining contemporary dance, XR technology, and audio-visual installations to explore the relationship between technology and the human body. Performances like Through Limits by Yilun Zhan & Zhaonian Li, Co-Life/Co-Demise by Yiou Wang & Hsiao-Chu Hsia, Near Light by Yanran Bi, Hold on no more by Ker Chen & Daniel Mangosing, Underpass Overgrown by Whitt Sellers, Passage_Redux by Kevin Peter He, and Fully, Lively by Summer Breeze captivated audiences, creating immersive experiences that pushed the boundaries of performance art.
Whitt Sellers – “Underpath Overgrown”. Photo by Ziwei Ji.
Zhaonian and Yilun – “Through Limits”. Photo by Ziwei Ji.
Yanran Bi – “Near Light”. Photo by Ziwei Ji.
The second day featured more performances, short films, and a collaborative workshop. Performances such as Rhizome by Caren Wenqing Ye, Shiqing Chen & Audrey Chou, Strange Dwelling by Hong Huo & Mayu Nakaya, Co-Life/Co-Demise (Alt Ver.) by Yiou Wang & Hsiao-Chu Hsia, and Fully, Lively pt.2 by Summer Breeze highlighted themes of identity and ecological entanglement. The short film screenings challenged mainstream aesthetics, featuring works like Cecilia Villaverde’s La Bruja de Texcoco, Ker Chen’s Hunting, Splaces.STUDIO’s Dendro Sonic, and Unlovable Creatures by Sutanuka Jashu, Lorena Patricia Garcia Espino, Denise Ackerl, Rocío Palacin Rotbarg, Owen McAteer, and Laura Hernández, offering critical perspectives on social and environmental issues.
Co-Life/Co-Demise by Yiou Wang and Hsiao-Chu (Julia) Hsia. Photo by Chelsea Ning.
Hong Huo and Mayu Nakaya – “Strange Dwelling”. Photo by YJ.
Caren Weniqing Ye, Shiqing Chen and Audrey Chou – “Rhizome”. Photo by Chelsea Ning.
The event closed with a hands-on workshop, Seed Mapping: Urban Planting Through Digital Cartography, conducted in partnership with Oreadespress. Led by artists Rachel TonThat and Irene Lee, the workshop engaged participants in a form of digital “guerilla gardening,” drawing inspiration from the Green Guerrillas movement of the 1970s.
UAAD’s “Jukebox of Dissonance” successfully brought together a constellation of global voices, reaffirming its commitment to fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and critical engagement. The event marked a significant milestone for UAAD, as the collective continues to expand its reach and impact, promoting art as a tool for social, cultural, and ecological transformation.
The event was proudly supported by Snow Beer, whose product “Brave the World” offers a refreshing and bright taste crafted from premium hops, featuring a balanced, crisp flavor with a silky-smooth finish. Founded in 1933 in Shenyang, China, Snow Beer has grown into the world’s No. 1 selling beer since 2008, with “Brave the World” symbolizing a courageous attitude towards life.
Photo by Ziwei Ji.
Moshi also sponsored the event, bringing its premium, award-winning sparkling beverages that highlight unique Asian flavors. Founded by a former chef passionate about thoughtful non-alcoholic beverage pairings for the Asian dining experience, Moshi aims to elevate culinary moments with high-quality, innovative flavors.
Photo by Ziwei Ji.
About UAAD:
Underground Art and Design (UAAD) is an artist-led collective founded in 2022. UAAD’s mission is to create spaces that promote social change through interdisciplinary dialogue in the visual arts. Through digital exhibitions, workshops, and collaborative projects, UAAD supports experimental practices that challenge capitalism, colonialism, and ecological degradation.
For more information or media inquiries, please contact: hello@uaad.art
Event Team Credits:
Xiaofan Jiang, Effy Ma, Regina Zhu, Tracy Wang, Josh Chen, Iliana Sun, Clara Lu, Magnolia Zhang, Jinyi Li, Yuqing Liu, Hua Wang, Ziwei Ji, Ziyu Zhang.
Media Contact
Company Name: Underground Art and Design
Contact Person: Jess
Email: Send Email
Country: United States
Website: https://uaad.art