401Xindian Boys: Don't Worry, Baby

Xindian Boys: Don't Worry, Baby [The script of this episode] Welcome to the Xindian Boys’ latest project, Don’t Worry Baby. This collective, formed in 2012, consists of four artists: Tsong Pu, Chen Shun-chu, Wu Tung-lung, and Su Hui-yu, all based in Xindian District, New Taipei City. Their work often reflects on everyday life and human existence, drawing inspiration from the Xindian River area. In this fifth collaborative project, the Xindian Boys have partnered with the younger art group XTRUX. Building on their previous four works, they’ve incorporated algorithm and game engine technology to create a new, immersive experience. This innovative approach crafts a landscape that exists between reality and fantasy, offering a fresh perspective on their artistic vision. As you step into the exhibition space, your attention will first be drawn to the massive projection encircling the entire room. From here, you can move to the right to explore the three-channel video installation titled Interstellar. This work by the Xindian Boys takes inspiration from Taiwanese artist Lee Tsai-chien’s 1980s sculpture Finite to Infinite. Lee’s sculpture became controversial at the time due to its resemblance, from certain angles, to a symbol associated with Communist ideology—the five-pointed star. This led to it being reported and temporarily repainted in silver before eventually being restored to its original red. The Xindian Boys reimagine this politically charged episode through the lens of retro sci-fi aesthetics, setting their work in the transformed, dried-up riverbed of the Xindian River after a typhoon. This creative reinterpretation merges art and politics into a fantastical narrative that invites reflection on history. As you continue deeper into the exhibition space, you’ll see the centerpiece of this show: the massive projection spanning three walls, titled Don’t Worry Baby. This namesake artwork immerses the viewer in scenes of people engaging with the natural environment of the Xindian River basin. Some are playing in shallow waters or lighting signal fires; others are setting off firecrackers or flying kites. As you stroll through the exhibition, it feels as though you are walking alongside these people, sharing in their connection to nature. As your gaze shifts to the distant landscape in the projection, unsettling elements begin to emerge. Dark clouds gather, lightning flashes across the sky, even flash floods appear—phenomena that defy the logic of everyday life. These surreal disruptions create a sense of unreality, prompting the viewer to ponder the fragile balance between nature and imagination. Unlike the traditional method where the artist captures actual imagery using a camera, the visuals you see today are generated through game engine technology and algorithm. These tools transform the artists’ instructions into a world that is virtual yet remarkably realistic. This approach allows us to question whether the reality we experience is truly real, while encouraging us to consider whether everything around us might simply be a game, a performance, or a world made believable by the technologies of our era. Inside the exhibition space, you’ll also find the “Determination of Life” photography series, alongside a small architectural structure embedded within the venue. This structure serves as a screening room, playing clips of past discussions among the four artists about their creative processes. These recordings reveal their artistic lives—at times serious, at times humorous, mysterious, even absurd. Together, these elements offer an intimate glimpse into the multifaceted world of their art making. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Xindian Boys: Don't Worry, Baby Time│2025/04/25-2025/08/17 Venue│NTCAM, 4A Gallery Artist│Xindian Boys More Detail: https://ntcart.museum/exhibition/H2503004