Integrated visual arts graduate student Hang Yuan blends ancient Chinese culture with virtual reality in interactive MFA exhibition

Iowa State University integrated visual arts graduate student Hang Yuan shared his master of fine arts thesis exhibition March 18–22 in the College of Design’s Gallery 181.

The exhibition, “Unveiling an Interactive and Immersive Virtual Reality (VR) Experience Through Digital Construction of a Historical Landscape Painting,” was open for viewing from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, with a closing reception held from 5–8 p.m. on Friday, March 22.

A Trip Back in Time

Yuan’s interactive exhibition immersed viewers in the ancient landscape paintings of the Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127) through virtual reality. He was inspired to replicate artwork from this period, noting that "this era is still celebrated for its sophisticated brushwork and appreciation of nature, which left an indelible mark on the annals of art history."

The exhibition featured a multi-faceted display of digital paintings paying homage to the Northern Song’s traditional landscapes, along with 3D-printed versions of characters from the digital works, bringing them to life.

Yuan encouraged visitors to interact with elements in the paintings—such as flowers, fish, boats, and bridges. This interactivity allowed viewers to form a personal connection with the cultural richness of the period.

“I’m bridging the gap between the past and present,” Yuan said. “Each of my pieces was designed to engage viewers, inviting them to step into a world where history is recontextualized through the lens of current technology.”

About the Artist

Yuan holds a bachelor of fine arts in emerging media arts (formerly theatre-film and new media) and a bachelor of arts in film studies from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He has produced and directed several short films featured at the Orlando Film Festival in Florida, the Santorini Film Festival in Greece, and the Nebby’s Film Festival in Lincoln, Nebraska. In 2022, his short film Papel was nominated for Best CGI and Visual Effects at the Lonely Wolf International Film Festival in London.

He served as a graduate administrative assistant for the ISU Graduate College, focusing on web design and development, and previously taught digital media and visual culture courses in the College of Design.

Yuan pursued both a master of fine arts in integrated visual arts and a master of science in human computer interaction and graduated from Iowa State in May.