Sequential Recut

‍Sequential Recut is an experimental video installation that reinterprets the “View the Infinite Life Sutra” from the Dunhuang murals, one of the treasures of ancient Buddhist art. The project bridges traditional Chinese cultural heritage and modern digital storytelling, transforming static frescoes into living motion through the language of particles, light, and sound.

My creative intention was to explore how faith, redemption, and compassion—core themes of Buddhist philosophy—can be conveyed through new media. Rather than simply modeling historical imagery, I sought to recut and reconstruct the story to highlight internal human conflict: the struggle between desire and kindness, and the search for redemption through compassion. The narrative centers on the transformation of Azhushi (Ajusshi), whose inner turmoil between power and love becomes a metaphor for the modern tension between ambition and morality.

Technically, this was my first encounter with particle art, a field entirely new to me. Inspired by a project from Harvard Art School, I decided to learn TouchDesigner and Unity to simulate dynamic elements—dust, clouds, and light—evoking the ethereal atmosphere of Dunhuang murals. It was an intensive learning process, and at times I struggled to master the software and workflow. But the challenge ultimately expanded my creative toolkit and introduced me to the intersection of spirituality and computation.

Visually, the work unfolds through layers of projected particles on translucent gauze screens, creating a sense of depth and impermanence. The projection interacts with viewers’ movement, immersing them in a shifting space of reflection and renewal. The installation also includes a handmade artist book and storyboard sketches that trace the conceptual evolution from ancient iconography to digital reinterpretation.

Sequential Recut reflects my ongoing inquiry into how traditional narratives can be reborn through contemporary technology. By merging sacred art and modern motion, the piece invites viewers to reimagine the spiritual wisdom of the past in today’s fast-paced world—to pause, breathe, and rediscover the compassion at the heart of both art and humanity.