Meet Yetong Xin | 3D Artist

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

Hi Yetong, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
That’s because by pursuing a creative profession, I can truly sense the existence of the individual “self” throughout the process. Creative occupations often demand independent thinking, where the emergence of inspiration relies on one’s unique and profound experiences. When embarking on a creative project, I begin to trace back my experience, drawing from those experiences that are distinctly my own and transforming them into universal ideas that resonate with the audience.

For instance, in my childhood, I loved the fresh air after rain—a freshness tinged with the aroma of grass and a subtle acidity. This was a personal sensation, and many people likely shared similar experiences. Thus, in artistic creation, I can extract this feeling from memories and translate it into visual images that resonate with viewers. Each time I engage in this retrospective process, I introspect and reflect on myself, continuously discovering the commonalities and differences between my independent identity and others.

Ultimately, for me, creation is a silent shout. Through my works, I articulate my experiences and emotions, and this expressive journey makes me enjoyable.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am proud of a trait that both defines me and brings me a sense of “discomfort”: I never settle for the status quo. Continually pushing myself out of my comfort zone, I seek cross-disciplinary expressions and collaborations.

Growing up in an ordinary Chinese household, my parents viewed art as just one of my hobbies, not a viable career choice. However, I couldn’t accept the idea of following the conventional path into university and choosing a major that didn’t truly interest me. Thus, I embarked on a “rebellious” journey: I took the art entrance exam and enrolled in Tsinghua University’s Academy of Arts & Design to study graphic design. Yet, feeling constrained by the expressive limitations of graphic design, I self-learned 3D modeling and rendering, eventually joining a large internet company in China. However, the routine of this job left me devoid of passion, prompting me to resign and become a freelancer and work for various companies and studios. It wasn’t until recently that I felt creating works solely in the realm of time-based visual media was limiting. So, I applied to Harvard GSD’s MDes program, aiming to apply 3D visualization to diverse fields like XR, projection, live performance, and interaction design. Every time I delve into a new domain, mastering its intricacies and turning it into my “comfort zone,” I push myself to seek breakthroughs beyond that comfort zone.

This journey beyond the familiar is always challenging. For instance, after being accepted into Harvard GSD, I found myself once again in a stage of uncertainty: all the skills I previously excelled in were limited to visual expression, and for interactive works, mere visual prowess was far from sufficient. I reassure myself: it’s okay, everything can start from zero. This approach has been my way of overcoming discomfort every time I step out of my comfort zone: leaving behind my past experiences and achievements. I hope the world knows my passion for creation, a drive that compels me to repeatedly explore new forms of expression and constantly reshape myself.

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?
If I were to take my friends on a week-long trip in Los Angeles, we would start with the iconic Hollywood Sign, exploring the Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre, immersing ourselves in the charm of Hollywood’s history.

Next, I would take them to admire the beauty of Santa Monica and Venice. We’d visit The Broad Museum and enjoy a music performance at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Following that, we would spend a day in Griffith Park, hiking to the Griffith Observatory and enjoying the city lights in the evening.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Certainly. Pina Bausch is a dancer whom I admire and respect. As an artistic creator, I often seek inspiration from dance and performance. I wholeheartedly recommend Pina Bausch’s “Spring Rite” to all friends who appreciate modern dance or are interested in it. When I first watched this dance performance, I was deeply moved by the profound and silent vitality conveyed in the performance. The dancers’ hesitant expressions, powerful movements, and the rolling in the dust all vividly depict the strength and struggles inherent in “human” as an individual life form.

Pina Bausch’s works often exude this kind of power, stemming from her profound experiences in life. This influence has been significant for me, inspiring me to uncover deeper emotions from ordinary life and perceive abstract concepts beyond the surface. Consequently, I firmly believe that each person is unique, possessing distinct experiences, and these experiences are meaningful and valuable.

Website: https://reraner.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yetong-xin-188867192/

Image Credits
Muwen Li