Fantacism Abstract Art
超幻艺术
Rooted in the realm of ancient philosophy, science, and psychology, contemporary Asian abstract art combines both Western and traditional techniques to explore the universe and the inner self. We will focus on one such recent development in Asian art, which we term Fantacism due to its abstract, non-duplicable, illusive qualities. It features unique effects, inspired by modern Western art and yet created on rice paper. By incorporating elements of both cultures, Fantacism art amplifies the inner sameness across all nations.
---Alex Wang & Penny C. Wang, 2018
---Alex Wang & Penny C. Wang, 2018
Presented at the 2018 CLTAC Conference at Stanford University
From the East to the West
In 2018, we were invited by an American university to participate in a multicultural event aimed at promoting various programs through Asian art. We initially selected several traditional Asian artworks from our collection, showcasing delicate brushwork and timeless beauty. However, the event organizers were not interested in these pieces. They felt that themes repeated over thousands of years were not innovative enough to capture the attention of American audiences.
This experience led us to reflect: what does “innovation” truly mean to the new generation?
This experience led us to reflect: what does “innovation” truly mean to the new generation?
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I then presented one of my abstract paintings to the event organizers. They were immediately impressed by its originality and offered to host an exhibition as part of their upcoming multicultural programming. The event series proved to be a great success, attracting over 1,000 participants across a dozen workshops, art demonstrations, exhibitions, and community engagement activities.
Following this, we received invitations from other schools and universities, where we continued to engage with students and teachers—until our schedule was fully booked and we could no longer accommodate additional events. As for the painting on the left, it was created using the same traditional tools and rice paper. However, it stands apart from conventional Asian paintings through its distinctive style and techniques. What, then, makes this piece so different from traditional Asian art? |
Innovation
One day, an event organizer called us and said, “Someone would like to meet with you in person.”
“I happened to pass by the exhibition and was absolutely astonished,” the visitor later recalled. “I stood there for a long time, captivated by the works on display. I have spent my entire career in the art world, yet I have never seen anything like this. I couldn’t determine how it was created—what medium was used, or what techniques were involved. At first, I thought it might be watercolor, but upon closer inspection, I wasn’t so sure.”
This visitor turned out to be the curator of a local art museum. We met him on a quiet afternoon, and he generously offered us a private tour of the gallery’s most valuable collections, including a 14th-century religious painting adorned with gold and an original oil painting by Dalí. As we moved through the history of Western art, we encountered a rich interplay of aesthetics, philosophy, religion, science, and diverse artistic movements.
More importantly, through his perspective, we began to see a new future for Asian art—one defined by breakthrough, revitalization, and innovation. This experience prompted us to rethink our understanding of Asian art, which is so often associated solely with ancient beauty. Through a Western lens, it seemed to take on a renewed vitality and new possibilities.
At the end of our visit, the curator asked if he could exhibit some of our works in his gallery—an invitation we gladly accepted. The image on the right is from that exhibition.
“I happened to pass by the exhibition and was absolutely astonished,” the visitor later recalled. “I stood there for a long time, captivated by the works on display. I have spent my entire career in the art world, yet I have never seen anything like this. I couldn’t determine how it was created—what medium was used, or what techniques were involved. At first, I thought it might be watercolor, but upon closer inspection, I wasn’t so sure.”
This visitor turned out to be the curator of a local art museum. We met him on a quiet afternoon, and he generously offered us a private tour of the gallery’s most valuable collections, including a 14th-century religious painting adorned with gold and an original oil painting by Dalí. As we moved through the history of Western art, we encountered a rich interplay of aesthetics, philosophy, religion, science, and diverse artistic movements.
More importantly, through his perspective, we began to see a new future for Asian art—one defined by breakthrough, revitalization, and innovation. This experience prompted us to rethink our understanding of Asian art, which is so often associated solely with ancient beauty. Through a Western lens, it seemed to take on a renewed vitality and new possibilities.
At the end of our visit, the curator asked if he could exhibit some of our works in his gallery—an invitation we gladly accepted. The image on the right is from that exhibition.
Uniqueness
Fantacism art reflects the diversity and complexity of the audience’s inner world, leaving vast space for individual interpretation and imagination. Like a river, a breeze, or a dream, it evokes illusions and the subconscious. It captures not only the vastness of the universe and nature, but also the microscopic forms of nerves, cells, and dust—bridging scales both immense and minute.
Fantacism is at once scientific and metaphysical. As in the interplay of black and white, dialectics and metaphysics exist in a dynamic balance within the work. The artist no longer dominates the creation, but instead allows the artwork to evolve organically. Likewise, the audience no longer seeks to decipher the artist’s intent; rather, the meaning of the work emerges through each viewer’s own perception.
Through its metacognitive, technical, innovative, and philosophical dimensions, Fantacism resonates with the human inner self and offers a new lens through which to view society. From a global and historical perspective, it amplifies the inner “same” while minimizing the outer “different” across cultures. In doing so, it builds a bridge between souls and connects cultures from East to West.
Fantacism is at once scientific and metaphysical. As in the interplay of black and white, dialectics and metaphysics exist in a dynamic balance within the work. The artist no longer dominates the creation, but instead allows the artwork to evolve organically. Likewise, the audience no longer seeks to decipher the artist’s intent; rather, the meaning of the work emerges through each viewer’s own perception.
Through its metacognitive, technical, innovative, and philosophical dimensions, Fantacism resonates with the human inner self and offers a new lens through which to view society. From a global and historical perspective, it amplifies the inner “same” while minimizing the outer “different” across cultures. In doing so, it builds a bridge between souls and connects cultures from East to West.
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Breakthrough
Read our next chapter tomorrow :)
The Process of Abstractness
Aesthetics is independent of morality
Non-Erasable Tears by Alex Wang
2015 Nanjing International Art Exhibition
2015 Nanjing International Art Exhibition
Monaco
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In the early stages of Alex Wang’s exploration and development of Fantacism art, he created a portrait of Eunice Moe Brock, a Christian missionary who dedicated her life to serving the children of a village where her parents had worked prior to World War II.
The visual effect of his “Misty” style—an early experiment within Fantacism—captivated the organizers of the Monaco International Film Festival. In 2016, they invited Mr. Wang to create an artwork titled The Angel Award for the festival’s official poster. This marked the first time the festival featured an Asian artwork in its promotional design. |
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Revitalizing the Lost American Retinal Drawings
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High Dimensional Art 高维艺术
Presentations and Exhibitions
We have conducted the following presentations, exhibitions, and workshops on our Fantacism abstract art theory and aesthetics. Contact us if you are interested in scheduling an art demo, event, or workshop in an online or in-person format at your institution.
Ankeny Art Festival, Ankeny, Iowa, 2026 (May 16, 2026 Booth #49 Ankeny)
"Spirit" won the Third Place, MacCallum Art Museum Juried Art Show, Chase City, Virginia, 2023
Designed Ties featuring Fantacism Abstract Art, Hoypoloi Pop Art Gallery, Chicago O'Hare International Airport Terminal 1 & 2, Chicago, Illinois, 2023-Present
High-dimensional Art and Teaching Art Online, Washington D.C., 2023
High-dimensional Art, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, 2023
Tradition, Breakthrough, Innovation: Fantacism Aesthetics Theory to Revitalize the Lost American Retinal Drawings, CLTA Virtual Conference, 2022
The Fantacism of the Lost Art: Chinese Abstract Interpretations of American Retinal Drawings, Exhibition, United States, 2019
Abstractness: From Poetry in Logographic Text to Fantacism Abstract Art, North American Review Bicentennial Conference, 2019
Daoism and Abstract Art, Workshop, Department of World Religions and Philosophy, UNI 2018
Chinese Art and Calligraphy as a Motivator: Bring Authentic Culture into American Campuses, ICHCE, Beijing, 2018
New Trends and New Strategies: Incorporating Chinese Abstract Art to Chinese Language Learning, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, 2018
Monaco International Film Festival, Exhibition, Monaco, 2016
Nanjing International Art Exhibition, 2015
Ankeny Art Festival, Ankeny, Iowa, 2026 (May 16, 2026 Booth #49 Ankeny)
"Spirit" won the Third Place, MacCallum Art Museum Juried Art Show, Chase City, Virginia, 2023
Designed Ties featuring Fantacism Abstract Art, Hoypoloi Pop Art Gallery, Chicago O'Hare International Airport Terminal 1 & 2, Chicago, Illinois, 2023-Present
High-dimensional Art and Teaching Art Online, Washington D.C., 2023
High-dimensional Art, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, 2023
Tradition, Breakthrough, Innovation: Fantacism Aesthetics Theory to Revitalize the Lost American Retinal Drawings, CLTA Virtual Conference, 2022
The Fantacism of the Lost Art: Chinese Abstract Interpretations of American Retinal Drawings, Exhibition, United States, 2019
Abstractness: From Poetry in Logographic Text to Fantacism Abstract Art, North American Review Bicentennial Conference, 2019
Daoism and Abstract Art, Workshop, Department of World Religions and Philosophy, UNI 2018
Chinese Art and Calligraphy as a Motivator: Bring Authentic Culture into American Campuses, ICHCE, Beijing, 2018
New Trends and New Strategies: Incorporating Chinese Abstract Art to Chinese Language Learning, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, 2018
Monaco International Film Festival, Exhibition, Monaco, 2016
Nanjing International Art Exhibition, 2015