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.

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.

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)

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.

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.

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.