We had the good fortune of connecting with lening hou and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi lening, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I believe that being creative isn’t something that has barriers. As long as one maintains an open mind and accumulates a wealth of experiences, one can certainly become creative. I have a fondness for the concept of serendipity. In my view, creativity is a form of personal serendipity. You need to remain open, possess sagacity, and know how to forge connections.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In my work, the fusion of new interactive technologies with traditional artistic forms stands at the core. I’m constantly pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved by integrating cutting-edge developments into my creative process. For instance, deploying AI within cameras to capture more than just images, but also insights into the nature of perception itself. With a mechanical arm, I turn calculated, robotic movements into strokes of paint, each a deliberate part of a larger, expressive tableau. My forays into VR are not just for the sake of novelty but aim to harness its immersive qualities for psychological healing, exploring the therapeutic potential of art in virtual spaces. Moreover, I utilize 3D printing technology not merely as a tool for prototyping but as a medium for creating pure art sculptures, bridging the gap between digital design and tangible art forms.

As for my brand, it is, at this moment, a reflection of myself. The journey of self-discovery for me is one of continuous challenges—deliberately stepping out of my comfort zone, undertaking what intimidates me, and in the process, redefining my own limits. My brand ethos is built on the premise of constant evolution; it’s about reinforcing my identity through repetition, communication, and the willingness to make bold mistakes and learn from them. This iterative process of self-affirmation and learning is not just a personal mantra but a professional strategy, a way to engage with others, share my journey, and invite them to take part in the dialogue that my art initiates. It’s through this that I establish my presence in the art world, not just as an artist but as an individual continually evolving and inviting others to evolve with me.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I might take my friend to the McNally Jackson Books in Soho. Despite being a commercial bookstore, I am particularly fond of their curated selection of books and the overall aesthetic of the store. Personally, I am not much for natural landscapes; I thrive on intellectual exchange and find that a bookstore offers the right kind of enlightenment. It’s there in the filtered daylight among the shelves that we might stumble upon new topics of mutual interest. These discoveries often guide our next steps; I prefer not to have everything planned out, but rather to tailor our itinerary spontaneously, based on how we feel in the moment. That’s the allure of seeking inspiration at a bookstore. Depending on our shared sentiment, I might end up taking my friend to a café, gallery, or restaurant that resonates with our current vibe, or perhaps we might even find ourselves at a horse race— who knows!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shout out to NYU Interactive Telecommunications Program (NYU ITP), a remarkable blend of technology, art, and innovation. NYU ITP stands at the forefront of creative exploration, where technologies like p5.js, VR (Virtual Reality), volumetric capture, Arduino, and LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) are more than just tools; they are gateways to new forms of expression and understanding.

NYU ITP’s community of thinkers, creators, and innovators leverage these technologies to push the boundaries of what’s possible, crafting experiences that challenge our perceptions and engage our senses in unique ways. From immersive VR environments that transport us to unimaginable worlds, to interactive installations powered by Arduino that respond to our presence and actions, the work emerging from NYU ITP is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and technological curiosity.

The program’s embrace of diverse technologies like volumetric capture, which brings a new dimension to digital storytelling, and LiDAR, which enables creators to map and interact with spaces in unprecedented detail, exemplifies its commitment to exploring the potential of each new wave of technological advancement.

To the faculty, students, and alumni of NYU ITP: your passion for innovation, your dedication to pushing the limits of creativity, and your unwavering belief in the transformative power of technology inspire us all. Thank you for leading the way and for showing the world the endless possibilities that lie at the intersection of technology, art, and human curiosity.

Website: Leninghou.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houzhu7/

Other: Recent work: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DkNOZu-r5eeprcUL_L93YZyjGa0HNm3s/view?usp=drive_link

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