The 18th K.T. Science and Art Awards: NCKU Team Stands Out, Securing Four Honors in the Interactive Technology Art Category-國立成功大學永續發展SDGs

The National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) team showcases innovative excellence in science and art, winning four awards in the 'Interactive Technology Art' category at the 18th K.T. (K.T. Lee) Science and Humanities Arts Creative Competition. The achievements not only highlight the outstanding academic and creative achievements of the university but also reflect its ongoing exploration of the integration of technology and art. The awards recognize the collaborative efforts of two undergraduate students from various departments at NCKU, as well as the creative prowess of eight students from the NCKU Institute of Technology and Art (ITA), who demonstrated a keen interest in current global issues and exploration.


Mr. Hsuan-Cheng Lin, Associate Director of the ITA, stated, 'These achievements not only demonstrate the university's excellence in academia and creativity but also reflect its continuous exploration of the integration of technology and art. The recognition received is a testament to the unwavering efforts of the faculty and students and serves as motivation to continue pursuing excellence in the fields of science and art. We hope that this honor will serve as a catalyst for further academic research and innovative development and lead to more achievements in future K.T. Science and Art Awards.'"


"The K.T. (K.T. Lee) Humanities and Science Art Creative Competition (K.T. Science and Art Awards), established in 2006, has been one of Taiwan's most influential awards in the fields of science and art. Against the backdrop of rapid global changes and technological advancements, the 18th K.T. competition encouraged participants to explore the innovative potential of combining technology and art and to reflect deeply on current issues and phenomena through their works.


One of the bronze award-winning works, 'Your Body is an Ocean,' was a collaborative effort between a cross-disciplinary undergraduate student, Meng-En Hsiao, and a student from the Department of Industrial Design, Yi-Min Hu, at NCKU. This interactive installation, metaphorically representing the human body as an ocean, depicted its rhythmic movements akin to tides, reflecting both predictability and profound mystery.


Another notable entry, '漫視 (Manshi),' an interactive art piece by student Jing-Yuan Chang, addressing concerns about the Ukraine-Russia conflict, received honorable mention. Timed with the first anniversary of the conflict, the installation featured 32 sets of mechanical devices that interacted with viewers. The central rotating disc symbolized the fluctuating state of refugees in a turbulent world, portraying the upheaval experienced by over 8.08 million refugees and their constantly changing circumstances.


One of the outstanding works in the 'Interactive Technology Art' category, 'Pitch Modulation,' was a collaborative creation by students Sheng-Hung Ho, Hsiao-Tung Chen, Yi-Fan Kang, and Wu Lee from the ITA. The installation, composed of an open-source platform 'Arduino,' a visualized audio development tool 'Max/MSP,' and a joystick, embodied the principles of deconstruction in both its internal and external structure. The constantly evolving, recording, transforming, and disappearing tones within the open structure reflected the internal structural relationships, breaking away from the conventional packaging of installations.


Finally, the collaborative work 'Struggling Ocean's Soundscape' by students Yu-Shan Ho, Hsin-Jui Peng, and Jui-Ling Hsieh from the ITA, received commendation. Using real-time interactive software 'TouchDesigner,' the installation analyzed, redrawn, and translated live audio inputs from viewers into various digital images, expressing the struggles and resistance of marine life in the ocean. The title of the artwork, abbreviated as 'SOS,' conveys the significance of the distress signal. Through the use of numerous mirrors within the installation, coupled with mapping and extending digital images, the installation created an immersive environment reminiscent of the boundless ocean depths.