We live in an era gently wrapped by technology and propelled forward at breakneck speed by algorithms. Artificial intelligence permeates daily life, and virtual realms reshape our existence—efficiency, convenience and precision form the fundamental tone of this age. We abound in material wealth, operate ever-evolving technology, and expand endlessly into digital frontiers. Yet beneath all this sophisticated machinery, every human heart retains a soft, unoccupied space: an innate, profound yearning to question heaven and earth, ourselves, eternity, and all that is beautiful.
Technology can reshape how we live, yet it cannot replicate humanity’s millennia-old romance and faith. Algorithms can dissect the order of all things in the world, yet they can never replace the spiritual homeland rooted deep within our souls. Mythology, by contrast, stands as the original romantic verse of human civilization—the tender, magnificent, and sincere spiritual legacy left to us by our ancestors.
Many dismiss myths as distant ancient tales, ethereal fables of immortals and wonders. In truth, those epics of vast mountains and seas, of the primal dawn of creation, those reverent visions of all living things bearing spirits, represent the ancients’ contemplation of nature, their reflections on life, death, good and evil, their understanding of worldly order, and above all, the accumulated wisdom and zest for life passed down through generations.
Today, as AI flourishes and the metaverse quietly takes shape, human civilization stands at a pivotal turning point of transformation. Technology has unlocked entirely new worlds for us, yet it has also cast us into gradual confusion: fragmented perceptions, homogenized thoughts, and hollow spiritual foundations have dulled our delicate empathy, profound reflection, and the uniquely human insight into life. Now that machines can generate imagery, weave narratives, and construct boundless virtual landscapes, we see more clearly than ever what can never be replaced: the humanistic warmth passed down for millennia, the romance of civilization etched into our very blood and bones.
Civilization is never a one-sided sprint of technological advancement. Instead, it is a mutual convergence and co-evolution between the sharp edge of technology and the soft grace of humanism.
Against this backdrop, the contemporary art exhibition “Deifying Myth” has come into being. Rooted in creative works produced during the Metaverse Exploration Team’s Beijing residency, this exhibition brings together the creative spark of young artists and the in-depth reflections of established contemporary practitioners. Through diverse, vivid modern mediums including painting, sculpture, installation art, and digital art, it revives Eastern myths slumbering for a thousand years.
We refuse to confine mythology within age-old narratives. Stepping outside traditional frameworks, we draw on the agility, critical thinking and creativity of contemporary art to cross the divide of time and converse with primeval civilizations. Using art as a bridge, we link the past to the future, tradition to new beginnings. We hold mythology as a mirror to reveal humanity’s purest inner heart amid the technological age; we respond through creation to seek the spiritual home belonging to our times.
At this juncture where virtuality and reality intertwine, algorithms collide with humanism, we embark on a spiritual exploration in Beijing: When technology defines the pace and form of our era, how shall we safeguard the inner spiritual landscape within us? When intelligent machinery replaces human artistic creation, how can human civilization endure and flourish perpetually?
Every artwork in this exhibition marks a contemporary rebirth of an ancient myth. Employing their unique artistic languages, creators unpack archaic mythological symbols and reimagine vibrant humanistic spirits. They adapt age-old Eastern wisdom to an era dominated by AI and the metaverse, allowing millennia of accumulated romance and philosophy to once again illuminate the spiritual world of modern humanity.
This exhibition is far more than a modern reinterpretation of Eastern myths; it is a declaration of enduring civilization and immortal spirit. Technology advances through constant iteration, yet humanity’s pursuit of beauty, meaning, and spiritual transcendence will never draw to a close.
The title “Deifying Myth” encapsulates our mission: to transform the spiritual heritage of antiquity into a humanistic force that heals and nourishes the present; to let the undying flame of civilization light our spiritual journey through this technological age.
Virtuality and reality coexist; tradition and innovation converge. May we always root ourselves in humanism and take technology as our wings, carrying forward the thread of millennia-long civilization to forge a gentle yet unwavering spiritual order. Let the romance and warmth of ancient myths become the enduring foundation for civilization’s perpetual renewal—where civilization never ceases, and myths never end.
Exhibition Hours & Venue
Dodo Art Museum, Beijing
(3rd Floor, Jinbaohui Shopping Center)
Exhibition Period: July 12 – 26, 2026
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