Meet Qiuyao He | Multimedia Storyteller

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

Hi Qiuyao, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I have always embraced risks because my choices are driven by my passions. From being an art student to filmmaking and later transitioning to interactive media, each shift was a risk, driven by my need to explore the best medium for my ideas. Moving to the U.S. to explore interactive media art meant leaving behind the connections and opportunities I had built in the film industry in China, but I chose to explore new mediums and environments while I’m still young.

To me, short-term risks are worth taking to avoid long-term regret. I refuse to be confined by medium or role divisions. For example, I’m currently creating a game despite having no prior experience. I believe many games possess even greater artistic value than gallery works, and I am determined to pursue this project with collaboration and persistence. Risks signify originality and reflect my determination to explore uncharted territories.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a multimedia storyteller transitioning from filmmaking to the innovative fusion of interactive media and artificial intelligence. Building on my expertise in filmmaking, I am expanding into interactive media to broaden my storytelling approach. This evolution incorporates not only traditional viewing but also active audience participation, embracing the dynamic interplay between viewer and narrative.

I have explored diverse formats, from interactive spatial experiences using sound and sensors to virtual narratives that blend video games and films through VR and other technologies. Beyond creating digital worlds, I integrate virtual content into physical installations, bridging the gap between the digital and tangible.

Collaboration remains a cornerstone of my work. From early partnerships with fashion designers and dancers to current collaborations with professionals in psychology and neuroscience, I have consistently found immense value in interdisciplinary projects. These collaborations enrich my work, adding new dimensions to the stories I tell.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in New York, and my favorite spots here include the vintage shops in Williamsburg, the waterfront views at Brooklyn Heights, and the food market in Dumbo.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am grateful to my alma mater, Beijing Film Academy, for nurturing my journey into time-based and narrative art. Although I am no longer in the film industry, my fascination with storytelling and time-based art began to take root there.

Website: https://heqiuyao.squarespace.com/

Instagram: @lois_qiuyao

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/qiuyao-he/

Image Credits
These include personal project photos as well as behind-the-scenes worksite photos.