For 40 years, artist Tishan Hsu has made paintings, sculpture, and video works that reckon with our cyborgian lives
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New York, New York—October 27, 2026—Art21 announced the premiere of “Tishan Hsu: Digital Flesh,” a new documentary film about the pioneering artist. From the 1980s to today, Hsu has explored the interconnected relationship between our bodies and technology through painting, sculpture, and video.
Directed by Andrea Yu-Chieh Chung, the film premieres Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at 12 pm ET on Art21.org and YouTube.
After more than 40 years of exploring the impacts of emergent technology, Hsu continues to develop his powerful vision of what it means to be human in the digital age, using AI and algorithmic animation in his recent works. At a New York printmaking studio and his latest gallery show, this film follows the artist as he updates the traditions of image-making for our screen-mediated culture while still insisting on the importance of the handmade.
“The role of the artist is to be able to express all of the things that society really often doesn’t have the time or bandwidth to do,” says Hsu. “Wherever that is, that will be art.”
“One of the most special moments during our production process with Tishan was when he showed us his sketchbooks from the 80s,” director Andrea Yu-Chieh Chung reflects. “It was inspiring to see his early vision. Seeing those sketchbooks made it clear for me that I wanted the film to convey Tishan’s dedication to staying open and curious about new ways of making while continuing to ask questions about humans’ relationship with technology and the natural world.”
About Extended Play
Art21’s Extended Play digital series provides unmediated, behind-the-scenes access to today’s leading artists. Through process-revealing footage and intimate interviews, these curatorially driven films chronicle a diverse scale of international projects, ranging from major commissions to exploratory sketches. Produced in close collaboration with artists, Extended Play uncovers provocative ideas, timely cultural influences, and biographical anecdotes that inspire the artists featured throughout the series.
Extended Play is made possible with support from David Howe and Namiko Kato, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council, the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and the Henry Nias Foundation.
About Art21
As the leading independent producer documenting the art of our time, Art21 was established with a mission to expand access to artists and their ideas, meet audiences where they are, and explore connections between artists and their communities. To date, Art21 has created 85+ hours of films documenting over 300 artists across six continents. For more information, visit Art21.org.
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For an advance screening or to learn more, email Art21 Associate Director of Communications, Hannah DeGarmo, at hannah@art21.org.
