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NCKU Techno Art Program Students Win First Prize in Imaging and New Media at 2024 Nanying Award
Hosted by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Tainan City Government, the 27th "2024 Nanying Award" recognized the work "I’m not a Robot" by Tzu-Yun Cheng and Yi-Cheng Chang, students of the Techno Art Master’s Program at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), in the category of Imaging and New Media. Their work stood out among international competitors, winning over the judges with its aesthetic, creativity, and technical expression in new media.
Authors Tzu-Yun Cheng and Yi-Cheng Chang explained, “This work portrays a robot sitting at a school desk, mimicking the learning process of a human child. The robot clumsily repeats and imitates answering questions in an attempt to prove that it is not, in fact, a robot. As viewers approach the work and observe its mechanical repetition up close, they become part of the contrast and participate in the scene—inviting reflection on the boundary between humans and machines. Perhaps, we may not be able to tell if the one answering questions is truly human or merely a machine pretending to be one. As technology advances, the line between humans and robots grows increasingly blurred. Eventually, we will realize that instead of focusing on disguising robots or proving their level of human-likeness, humans must come to understand technology and reflect on their own role in a rapidly evolving technological world.”
The work’s advisor, Assistant Professor Hsuan-Cheng Lin, Deputy Director of the Techno Art Master’s Program at NCKU, commented, “The inspiration behind “I’m not a Robot” comes from the common CAPTCHA systems found online. In this age of rapid technological progress and increasingly human-like robots, all it takes is checking a simple box to prove you are human in the virtual world. However, the question of what boundary truly exists between humans and robots is a thought-provoking issue raised by this piece. With 127 entries in the Imaging and New Media category and only 7 selected, having the students’ work recognized is a significant affirmation.”
The 27th Nanying Award competition included three categories: Two-Dimensional Art, Spatial and Mixed Media, and Imaging and New Media. The event attracted 698 artists and groups from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Macau, the UK, and Canada. The competition was fierce, as numerous talented artists vied for the prestigious Nanying Award. Po-Liang Lin, head juror for the Imaging and New Media category, noted that the winners in this category all stood out for their innovative use of media. In addition to technical execution, the criteria included the concept behind the work and its completeness, with aesthetics and creativity being key standards.
The "Nanying Award," one of Taiwan's three major art exhibitions, has been uncovering numerous artists since its inception in 1987, many of whom continue to shine in the art world. The award organizers also put significant effort into supporting winners and promoting art. To encourage ongoing artistic creation, Nanying Award winners are offered a personalized exhibition within three years of their win. The winning works from the 27th Nanying Award are on display at Tainan Xinying Cultural Center from now until October 20. The awards ceremony will take place at the B2 banquet hall of Tainan Shangri-La's Far Eastern Plaza Hotel on October 4. (27th Nanying Award website)
Authors Tzu-Yun Cheng and Yi-Cheng Chang explained, “This work portrays a robot sitting at a school desk, mimicking the learning process of a human child. The robot clumsily repeats and imitates answering questions in an attempt to prove that it is not, in fact, a robot. As viewers approach the work and observe its mechanical repetition up close, they become part of the contrast and participate in the scene—inviting reflection on the boundary between humans and machines. Perhaps, we may not be able to tell if the one answering questions is truly human or merely a machine pretending to be one. As technology advances, the line between humans and robots grows increasingly blurred. Eventually, we will realize that instead of focusing on disguising robots or proving their level of human-likeness, humans must come to understand technology and reflect on their own role in a rapidly evolving technological world.”
The work’s advisor, Assistant Professor Hsuan-Cheng Lin, Deputy Director of the Techno Art Master’s Program at NCKU, commented, “The inspiration behind “I’m not a Robot” comes from the common CAPTCHA systems found online. In this age of rapid technological progress and increasingly human-like robots, all it takes is checking a simple box to prove you are human in the virtual world. However, the question of what boundary truly exists between humans and robots is a thought-provoking issue raised by this piece. With 127 entries in the Imaging and New Media category and only 7 selected, having the students’ work recognized is a significant affirmation.”
The 27th Nanying Award competition included three categories: Two-Dimensional Art, Spatial and Mixed Media, and Imaging and New Media. The event attracted 698 artists and groups from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Macau, the UK, and Canada. The competition was fierce, as numerous talented artists vied for the prestigious Nanying Award. Po-Liang Lin, head juror for the Imaging and New Media category, noted that the winners in this category all stood out for their innovative use of media. In addition to technical execution, the criteria included the concept behind the work and its completeness, with aesthetics and creativity being key standards.
The "Nanying Award," one of Taiwan's three major art exhibitions, has been uncovering numerous artists since its inception in 1987, many of whom continue to shine in the art world. The award organizers also put significant effort into supporting winners and promoting art. To encourage ongoing artistic creation, Nanying Award winners are offered a personalized exhibition within three years of their win. The winning works from the 27th Nanying Award are on display at Tainan Xinying Cultural Center from now until October 20. The awards ceremony will take place at the B2 banquet hall of Tainan Shangri-La's Far Eastern Plaza Hotel on October 4. (27th Nanying Award website)
The Imaging and New Media category of the "2024 Nanying Award" was won by the work "I'm not a Robot" by Tzu-Yun Cheng and Yi-Cheng Chang, students of the Techno Art Master’s Program at NCKU.
The award-winning work “I'm not a Robot” by NCKU Techno Art Program students Tzu-Yun Cheng and Yi-Cheng Chang seeks to invite viewers to reflect on the boundary between humans and machines through the portrayal of a robot sitting at a school desk, "learning" like a human child. The work encourages audiences to contemplate their own role and position in a rapidly evolving technological era.
The inspiration for “I'm not a Robot” comes from the commonly seen CAPTCHA systems in everyday life. In this era of rapid technological advancement and increasingly human-like robots, the question of "what boundary truly exists between humans and robots" is a thought-provoking and intriguing issue explored by this work.
The "Nanying Award" is one of Taiwan's three major art exhibitions. To encourage artists to continue creating, a special exhibition will be organized for the winners within three years of their award. The winning works from this year's 27th Nanying Award are on display at the Tainan Xinying Cultural Center from now until October 20. (Photo: Cultural Affairs Bureau, Tainan City Government )
