The INFORM prize winner Yin Aiwen ist a designer, theorist and project developer. Her speculative/artistic research projects aim to create networks that facilitate self-determined and reliable relationships between people and (digital) systems. For Yin, design is thus first and foremost a way to (continually re)design the relationship between technology and society. In 2017, she founded ReUnion Network, which explores relations of mutual care as a form of social currency.
At the GfZK, Yin presents two important works from her artistic career to date. The Massage is the Medium (2013) is both a performance and an installation. While being given a medical massage, visitors are immersed in a visual narrative about the digitalised and globally interconnected world of work and the commodification of social relationships in times of mass consumption.
Liquid Dependencies: what does a decentralized caring society look like? (2021) is a live action role play (LARP), initiated by ReUnion Network, in which relationships are built on the basis of mutual care. In the game, players are assigned certain characters which they bring to life through their own experiences. During the course of a game lasting four to five hours, the players simulate spending 20 to 30 years together, and deal with a series of private and social situations and events.
The game has been created in collaboration with the Dinghaiqiao Mutual-aid Society and was first tested at the 13th Shanghai Biennale. At the GfZK, a Leipzig version will be presented which was developed together with the artists’ collective Elli Kuruş.
The game took place on Saturdays from 1-6 pm. Game dates: Oktober 16, Oktober 30, November 13.
The INFORM Prize for conceptual design, awarded on an annual basis since 2007, is situated at the interface between graphic design and art. The prize consists of 5.000 euros, donated by Dr. Arend Oetker, and is linked with a presentation at the GfZK.
