GENERATIVE UNRAVELLING

∞: Thousand Threads, Thousand Universes

By Mi Lin

Installation & Interactive Art

In the digital era, Miao (苗族) embroidery—an intangible cultural heritage (ICH)—faces significant engagement challenges. Traditional exhibitions often reduce this vibrant ICH to static displays, lacking interactive approaches that foster public interpretation. My practice-based PhD research at the Royal College of Art addresses these challenges by integrating Miao ICH with textile thinking and postdigital curation, utilising embodied digital experiences to enhance cultural practice and stimulate curiosity.

Generative Unravelling《( 生成解构》) is a series of two multi-sensory installations combining textile thinking, real-time generative algorithms, and AI-generated visual facilitation to reinterpret Miao Piling (堆) embroidery. The work transforms ICH into an evolving, participatory experience where audience engagement bridges tradition and digital transformation.

∞: Thousand Threads, Thousand Universes《( ∞:千针千界》) is one of the two. It reconstructs the layered triangular motifs of Piling embroidery, forming a kaleidoscopic relief that blurs the boundaries between materiality and virtuality. The piece explores algorithmic entropy, where artisans refine their art through mastery (increase) and distil it into simplicity (decrease),reflecting Miao cosmology. The looping video serves as a metaphor for the continuous transmission of ICH, honouring the artisans, primarily women, who have preserved this tradition.

This installation features 4K (3840 × 3840 px) video projections onto digitally printed leather, stretched onto a 1078 × 1078 mm square frame, with sound. It loops every 3:13.