Licia He : Portfolio

A selection of projects that highlight Licia's artistic and research activities. Please see the Gallery and CV for more detailed records.

-GRAPH and +GRAPH

-GRAPH and +GRAPH are two iconic exhibitions examining the deep historical connection between coding and drawing. Both exhibitions were curated by Casey Reas and each featured 6 artists who share a passion for the combination of code and plotters.

Through -GRAPH (2021), I presented Endless Monologue , a web-based generative algorithm that creates intimate and emotional visual monologues. Through +GRAPH (2023), I presented Fictional Lullaby, a generative painting algorithm that captures thoughts at night.

Read More: -GRAPH Curator's Note ; +GRAPH Curator's Note ;

Sparkling Goodbye

Sparkling Goodbye is a software-based generative painting algorithm celebrating all departures. It is an abstract self-portrait that captures an emotional journey. It was created during a special time of my life when I had to say many goodbyes.

Created in 2023, this system was exhibited at Bright Moments Tokyo , where 100 outputs were generated and auctioned. The collection was shown in various cities by Bright Moments , including Tokyo, London, and Paris. A curated output from this collection is available on Samsung Art Store.

Read More: Documentation Page ; Interview ; Exhibition Page ; Critique of this collection by Brian Droitcour

ThreadPlotter

Punch needle embroidery is a unique type of embroidery that uses loops of threads to create designs. This work describes how a low-cost X-Y plotter can be repurposed to support punch needle embroidery fabrication.

The paper "Plotting with Thread: Fabricating Delicate Punch Needle Embroidery with X-Y Plotters" received Honorable Mention Award at DIS'20 (The ACM Conference on Designing Interactive Systems)

Read More: Toolkit and Overview ; Physical Rendering ; Presentation

Running Moon

Running Moon is a generative painting algorithm that depicts the nuanced interaction between clouds and moonlight. It is a search for boundaries between structure and fluidity, precision and errors. It is a quest for harmony.

This web-based system was inspired by stained glass and watercolor. 500 outputs from the algorithm was exhibited and auctioned through Art Blocks Curated in 2022.

Read More: Project Page ; Interview

Living with Plotters

Pen plotters are accessible robots that carry various tools across at least 3 directions. When I met my first plotter in 2019, I was instantly captured by how they seamlessly connected digital and physical creative expressions.

Plotters have many underexplored potentials, especially in art, programming, and education. Therefore, I have developed my main art practice around plotters to identify new creative directions enabled by human-robot collaborations.

Read More: 300 Day Reflection ; 700 Day Reflection ; WIPs

Drifting Dreams

Drifting Dreams is a generative painting algorithm that captures bittersweet moments along journeys to dreams. It was inspired by my experience as a female in the tech industry.

This web-based system was exhibited and sold through Companions of Code , an exhibition by Vertical Crypto Art and The NFT Gallery . All proceeds were donated to organizations that support female and non-binary technologists.

Read More: Project Page ; Exhibition