Perfect for…

Armchair astronauts, science-fiction fans and anyone who gazes up at the stars. 

Why’s it interesting?

What do you think ‘Cosmic Metabolism’ could mean? For space-obsessed artist Xin Liu, the term has two meanings. Firstly, it’s a concept she developed to explain how our own planet’s metabolism has been affected by technological development, and secondly, it’s a term she uses to describe her own personal growth, a process of ‘learning to allow things to break, come back to earth, and fall’.

This balance of scientific and poetic is typical of the MIT-educated artist and engineer.

Actions like sending her wisdom tooth into outer space (updating a Chinese tradition), creating a machine that makes artificial tears or performing in zero gravity are part-experience and part-experiment, building her reputation as one of the most fascinating and transgressive artists around.

At Sónar+D, we’ve invited her to explore the dual meaning of Cosmic Metabolism, with an audiovisual lecture covering her own work and thought.

You’ll like this if you like…

Art that looks beyond the terrestrial plane, space exploration, engineering as poetry and poetry as engineering, science fiction