Krista Kim
Krista Kim is a contemporary Canadian digital artist recognized for her pioneering work at the intersection of art and technology. Born in 1976 in Toronto, Canada, she has gained international acclaim for her innovative use of digital media, particularly in the creation of mesmerizing digital installations and immersive virtual experiences.
Krista Kim studied Political Science at the University of Toronto before transitioning into the world of art. Seeking to explore the convergence of technology and creativity, she pursued further education at the LASALLE College of the Arts in Singapore. Kim’s artistic journey began with a deep interest in the relationship between digital technology and human consciousness.
Her fascination with digital technology and its transformative impact on human perception, media, social structures, and communication has driven her to explore both digital and physical domains. Since 2012, she has honed her distinctive style of shifting gradients using digital software, creating pieces on glass and plexiglass that mesmerize viewers with a serene tranquility. Her immersive video works offer meditative experiences through color and light. Additionally, Kim is the Co-Founder of Creative Immersive Production Studio, 0Studio.ai.
In 2014, Kim founded the Techism movement, which advocates for the integration of art and technology as a means to promote digital humanism. This movement emphasizes the importance of maintaining human values in the face of rapid technological advancements. Kim's philosophy is rooted in the belief that digital art can foster mindfulness and a deeper connection to the present moment.
Krista Kim - 700 v.2, from LANVIN Series Collection (2018). Digital Print on Pleximuseum. 78.7 x 114 cm.
One of Kim’s most notable works is "Mars House” (2020), a fully virtual environment that embodies her digital zen philosophy and is recognized as the first “Metaverse home” ever sold as an NFT. The piece received global acclaim, achieving the highest-grossing NFT sale on SuperRare in March 2021.
Krista Kim’s "Continuum" installation was showcased in Times Square every midnight in February 2022. She is a Cultural Leader for the World Economic Forum, wrote a Metaverse essay for The New York Times, and is the first Metaverse artist to be included in the permanent collection of LACMA.
Louis Vuitton selected her as a #Louis200 visionary for Louis’ 200th birthday, and she created the first Lamborghini NFT in history in collaboration with Steve Aoki. She collaborated with Lanvin in 2018, Mercedes-Benz EQS in 2021, and served as the creative director for the Utah Jazz NBA Team’s “JazzXR” campaign, the first sports team Metaverse NFT in history.
Krista is a Metaverse Editor for Vogue Singapore and has been named one of the Top 30 Most Influential People in the Metaverse by Read and Write Magazine. She has also been featured on the Architectural Digest AD100 and NFTy50 by Fortune Magazine. Honored as one of UNESCO's "50 Minds for The Next 50," she has been described by Forbes as "the new digital Rothko." Her work has been exhibited in major cities such as Singapore, Shanghai, New York, and Washington, D.C.
Krista Kim - 34 V.25 (2018). Digital Print on Pleximuseum. 58 x 43 cm.
Techism: bridging art and technology in the age of digital humanism
The Techism Movement was initiated in 2014 as a response to society's over-reliance on technology. This philosophy views technological innovation as an artistic discipline and encourages artists to advocate for digital humanism within our digital culture.
Krista Kim views digital art as uniquely positioned to foster connection and dialogue, challenge established norms, and inspire change. For her, art is not merely a product but a service dedicated to societal improvement.
The movement's idea began in 2013 when she recognized her consciousness was transitioning into the digital realm. She observed how technology and everyday devices shape our social behaviors, structures, and consciousness. This realization drove her to write the Techism Manifesto, aiming to comprehend the present situation, its trajectory, and the potential for collaboration between artists, engineers, technocrats, and capitalists. Techism focuses on connecting artists and tech engineers to produce work that benefits humanity.
Techism Manifesto harmonizes technological innovation with artistic creation, viewing innovation—whether technological or philosophical—as a medium in itself. Contrary to its name, Techism does not prioritize technology over art but sees them as partners in the next wave of human expression: digital humanism. Artists are the masters of technology, using it to express digital humanism through their art. This movement does not oppose traditional practices or claim that they will be replaced; instead, it allows artists to choose which methods to adopt or discard in each phase of their work.
Krista Kim - 622 V.20 (2018). Digital Print on Pleximuseum.
In an era of digital disruption, technology will continue to revolutionize industries such as services, manufacturing, healthcare, media, and education, as well as creative platforms. In Kim’s opinion as we build a new digital civilization, artists must contribute to this culture to preserve our humanity. Future cultural leadership cannot be left solely to technocrats, engineers, and corporations. Including artists and individuals from diverse fields is essential to creating balance, harmony, and humanism. Digital disruption has sparked fear and unrest; without inclusive dialogue that expresses our true emotions and concerns, broader conflict and misdirected blame may arise. Art, for Kim, is more necessary today than ever.
In the Techism Manifesto, she argues that art has transcended traditional frames and has become increasingly interactive. Collaboration has always driven artistic creation and shaped consciousness. Techism taps into this consciousness, highlighting art as a collective entity, idea, and experience. Software allows artists to explore multiple dimensions and collaborate with engineers and advanced technologies, fostering self-expression and innovative partnerships.
Art is experiential and phenomenal, inviting viewers to participate and discern their perceptions. Techism is the movement of our time, acknowledging digital disruption and embracing the immense task of creating a new culture that expresses our humanity in the digital age.
Techism recognizes the digital upheaval occurring at this pivotal moment in history, where the world is a blank canvas for new creation. Artists and entrepreneurs are building a new civilization as traditional institutions and systems are being dismantled. Krista Kim argues for a collective shift towards recognizing creative individuals as visionary leaders, capable of solving global challenges through collaboration, co-creation, and dialogue at the forefront of technology.
This era, marked by the transition from analog to digital and cyber-human, is unparalleled in its transformative potential, with change accelerating rapidly. It is crucial that art and its role in serving humanity remain central to all technological innovation, which is why advocating for this philosophy as a link between art and technology is essential.
Krista Kim - 34 V.9 (2018). Digital Print on Pleximuseum. 58 x 43 cm.
Selena Mattei
