LuYang's DOKU Experience Center Animates Mudec Milano

Deutsche Bank's Artist of the Year 2022, LuYang, presents DOKU Experience Center at Mudec Photo in Milan from September 14 to October 22, 2023. The exhibition features six gender-neutral avatars—Human, Heaven, Asura, Animal, Hungry Ghost, Hell—representing the six realms of Samsara. LuYang's practice draws on sci-fi, manga, video games, and techno culture, exploring posthumanism and transhumanism. The centerpiece is DOKU the Self, a narrative film premiered at the 2022 Venice Biennale, where the protagonist lives and dies across Buddhist worlds. Curated by Britta Färber, the show occupies the entire Mudec Photo space. Deutsche Bank has awarded the Artist of the Year prize since 2010, selected by its Global Art Advisory Council including Victoria Noorthoorn, Hou Hanru, and Udo Kittelmann. Instead of a cash prize, the bank supports winners with solo exhibitions, catalogues, and acquisitions for its corporate collection. Since 2018, exhibitions have been staged at PalaisPopulaire in Berlin and then at partner institutions like Mudec, in collaboration with Gruppo 24 ORE Cultura. Roberto Parazzini, Deutsche Bank's Chief Country Officer, stated the project enriches current cultural debate on identity, body, and gender.