New York-based conceptual artist Anicka Yi has officially joined Pace Gallery, collaborating with notable partners including Gladstone Gallery, 47 Canal, and Esther Schipper. Born in Seoul in 1971, Yi transitioned into the art world in 2008 after a successful career in fashion. Her artistic practice is characterized by a blend of organic and synthetic materials, crafting immersive installations that stimulate the senses, particularly the sense of smell.
Yi's innovative approach often involves scent, as seen in her acclaimed work Shigenobu Twilight, where she created a perfume portrait of Fusako Shigenobu, co-founder of the Japanese Red Army. Another notable piece, Grabbing at Newer Vegetables, involved collaborating with 100 women to produce a unique "superbacteria" paint, challenging traditional notions of art and feminism.
In 2021, she received the prestigious Turbine Hall commission at Tate Modern, presenting sculptures known as "aerobes" that emit various scents. These works will soon be featured in the New Museum's exhibition New Humans: Memories of the Future, aligning with Yi's exploration of the intersection between art and science.
In a recent interview, Yi discussed her decision to join Pace, emphasizing the gallery's legacy in the science of art and its understanding of advanced technologies like AI. She noted that Marc Glimcher, Pace's director, possesses a unique comprehension of technology, making it an ideal environment for her innovative practice.
Yi's upcoming exhibition at Art Basel Hong Kong will showcase a new series of AI-generated paintings, which she developed during the pandemic. This collaborative effort between human creativity and artificial intelligence reflects her commitment to integrating technology into her work. She believes that AI is not merely a tool but a crucial component of her artistic exploration.
As Yi delves deeper into the realm of AI, she aims to redefine intelligence itself, arguing that true intelligence arises from social interactions rather than isolated data processing. She advocates for a new paradigm in AI that embraces causal reasoning, moving beyond traditional machine learning models.
Yi's art encourages active participation from viewers, blurring the lines between the artwork and its environment. Her collaboration with multiple galleries exemplifies her belief in the importance of community and cooperation in the art world, fostering a symbiotic ecosystem that supports both artists and institutions.
Through her innovative practice, Anicka Yi continues to inspire discussions about the future of art in the age of technology, challenging conventional boundaries and encouraging a more profound engagement with the world around us.