Ian Cheng

Ian Cheng's artistic exploration delves into the intricate concept of mutation and humanity's innate ability to adapt to and engage with change. His creative process draws inspiration from a blend of video game design principles, improvisation techniques, and cognitive science insights. Cheng has produced a captivating series of simulations that delve into the inherent capacity of agents to navigate an ever-evolving environment. The culmination of his exploration is manifested in the Emissaries trilogy, where a narrative agent's desire to shape a story clashes with the unpredictable and open-ended nature of the simulated world. Within these simulated environments, autonomous agents are endowed with pre-programmed behavioral drives, allowing them to evolve and develop independently, free from intentional authorial influence. The progression of events within these simulations adheres to the unforgiving laws of causality observed in the natural world, effectively mirroring the intricate and dynamic processes inherent in nature itself. For instance, "BOB" (Bag of Beliefs), an artificial intelligence creature whose personality, physical form, and life story evolve across different exhibitions. Cheng refers to this as "art with a nervous system," emphasizing the immersive and evolving nature of his creations.