Tianyu Qiu

Tianyu Qiu, born in 1988, is a visual artist, curator, and designer currently based in New York and New Jersey. His artistic practice revolves around the construction of narrative, fictional, and dystopian worlds that provoke reflection on our contemporary era and popular culture. With a multidisciplinary approach encompassing both physical and digital mediums, Tianyu is fascinated by transforming the interplay between objects and images in space, aiming to engage audiences on intellectual and emotional levels. His installations and animations draw inspiration from diverse sources such as pop culture, social and political events, technology, and computerized imagery.

Tianyu pursued his education in the arts, earning a BFA in theater from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He furthered his studies with an MFA in Fine Arts from Parsons, the New School of Design, where his exceptional talent was recognized with the President Scholarship. In subsequent years, Tianyu showcased his artistic vision and curatorial skills by exhibiting and curating at the renowned Pingyao International Photography Festival in China in 2017 and 2018. Motivated by his passion for creating immersive experiences, he established Yolk Studio LLC in 2018, a platform dedicated to exhibition curation, design, and production.

In addition to his artistic endeavors, Tianyu holds a significant role as a Senior Consultant in digital experience for Deloitte, where he leverages his expertise to shape innovative digital strategies and enhance user experiences.

Fragmented Reality, a captivating video series of four pieces, is a testament to Tianyu's creative vision. Each video bears the title of a specific location, with satellite maps imported from Google Earth, highlighting major political events that garnered international media attention, albeit with varying political agendas. The narratives surrounding these events have been shaped differently by different media outlets, raising questions about the subjective nature of our legacies, religions, and politics. While satellite maps are often perceived as objective representations of reality, Fragmented Reality prompts viewers to contemplate the extent of their knowledge about these places and the potential hidden motives behind the seemingly "free" tools offered by corporate entities and governments. Through a fictional dystopian lens, Tianyu's work explores the intricate connection between our perceived reality and the underlying forces that shape it.

Tianyu Qiu's artistic practice is a testament to his ability to merge art, technology, and critical inquiry, urging viewers to question the narratives they encounter and engage with the complexities of our contemporary world. With a commitment to pushing boundaries and sparking dialogue, he continues to shape thought-provoking experiences that challenge our understanding of reality and its multifaceted dimensions.