For eons, humans have sought immortality. Whether in ancient tales about eternal youth or sci-fi films showcasing ultra-advanced equipment that can prolong (if not perpetuate) life, the desire to conquer time has long fueled our willingness to transform, even mutilate our bodies and environments in order to attain imperishability. As biotech and regenerative medicine become more advanced, such fantasies might soon be within our reach—but at what cost?

In her interdisciplinary practice, Chinese artist and engineer Xin Liu probes humanity’s age-old attempts to manipulate the laws of nature through science. From sculptures to installations and films, her works are both reverent and critical of modern-day technology, blending organic materials with artificial elements to confront our transient existence, while engaging with what French sociologist Émile Durkheim calls “the malady of infinite aspiration” under capitalism.