Lu Yang's 'DOKU The Flow' Screens at Julia Stoschek Foundation's LA Exhibition
On February 18, 2026, Lu Yang's latest video piece, 'DOKU The Flow,' was presented at the Variety Arts Theater in Los Angeles as part of the Julia Stoschek Foundation's exhibition titled 'What a Wonderful World: An Audiovisual Poem.' This 50-minute film, crafted using Unreal Engine, serves as the second installment in the DOKU series. It features a non-binary digital character named DOKU, who navigates themes of self-fluidity through the lens of Madhyamaka Buddhist philosophy. Throughout the film, DOKU transitions between six different 'skins' that symbolize various realms of existence and embarks on a fantastical cruise ship, 'The Desire,' which critiques materialistic illusions. The work intertwines elements of neuroscience, pop culture, and spirituality, illustrating the concept of a fluid self merging with the universe.
Key facts
- Lu Yang's 'DOKU The Flow' (2024) is a 50-minute 3D-animated film created with Unreal Engine.
- The film is the second chapter in Lu Yang's ongoing DOKU video series.
- The work was presented at the Julia Stoschek Foundation's exhibition 'What a Wonderful World: An Audiovisual Poem' at the Variety Arts Theater in Los Angeles on February 18, 2026.
- The avatar DOKU is non-binary and genderless, modeled after Lu Yang's face.
- The name DOKU derives from the Japanese Buddhist phrase dokusho dokushi ('we are born alone, and we die alone').
- The film explores Madhyamaka Buddhist philosophy, including samsara, emptiness, and non-dualism.
- DOKU shifts between 'skins' representing the six realms of existence: Human, Asura, Heaven, Hell, Animal, and Hungry Ghost.
- A key scene features DOKU boarding a surreal cruise ship called 'The Desire,' which satirically fulfills the five great desires.
- The film includes a scene where a naked DOKU rips open its chest to reveal a miniature self, referencing the Ramayana.
- Lu Yang's practice combines 3D animation, immersive game installations, performance, and media art.
Entities
Artists
- Lu Yang
Institutions
- Julia Stoschek Foundation
Locations
- Los Angeles
- United States