Interview with Krista Xueying Yu

Krista Xueying Yu is a versatile artist and designer, driven by a profound passion for creativity and aesthetics. Holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Krista blends artistic vision with design expertise in her role as an Exhibition and Interior Designer at Hua International, and Interior Designer at Moderne Living. She collaborates with galleries, artists, and curatorial teams to lead the creation of visually striking exhibitions, showcasing them at prestigious art fairs and galleries worldwide. With a commitment to crafting interior spaces that flow between living comfort and visual beauty, she consistently goes beyond the expectations of clients and audiences.

1. Can you start by telling us about your artistic journey? How did you first become interested in art, and what motivated you to pursue design?

My journey in art began unexpectedly, right on the living room walls, much to my mother's dismay. I was a spirited child, naturally drawn to colors and beauty. Growing up in a city surrounded by snow-capped mountains and serene grasslands, I found inspiration in the natural world. This led me to start drawing and painting, capturing and recreating these vivid life moments.

As I matured, my exploration of art took a more formal turn. In college, I pursued a more academic education, learning various mediums of expression and techniques. However, what truly fascinated me was art's ability to evoke emotions and experiences in the viewer, transcending mere depiction.

This realization motivated me to pursue a career in interior and exhibition design, where I aim to create aesthetically pleasing yet functionally engaging spaces that tell stories and resonate with people on a deeper level.

2. In addition to your role as an exhibition designer, you also work as an interior designer for both commercial retail spaces and residential spaces. How do you balance your work between these two fields? Do you have different strategies for working on different types of projects?

I believe that exhibition design and interior design are two complementary fields that share a common goal of creating spaces that are both functional and enjoyable for users. Exhibition design and interior design share the same essential core values and skills, despite their seeming differences. Both fields require keen observation and deep understanding of people and space as well as the ability to create designs that resonate emotionally.

Exhibition design is more about expressing a theme whose tone is set by the artist, and creating a memorable experience for visitors. It is a process of coming up with the best environment and layout for the arts given. Whereas in interior design, all objects invited in the space coexist with the users for a long time. It is a collaborative process that involves working with clients to understand their needs and wants, and then construct the ideal spaces with objects, materials and colors. Durability, functionality, feasibility and personalizations are more concerned in this respect. Although the way of working varies between exhibition design and interior design, I believe promoting human well-being is the core for both, by coming up with innovative ways to use space and create unique and memorable experiences for audiences and users.

3. As a key member of the Hua International team, what are your specific contributions and roles in shaping the interior and exhibition designs for internationally renowned art fairs and gallery exhibitions? How do you collaborate with the team and artists to bring these exciting projects to life?

Working with Hua International has been a thrilling experience. As the interior and exhibition designer on the team, my primary responsibility is to closely collaborate with gallery owners, artists, and curator teams to translate their creative visions into tangible spatial solutions. While artists possess extraordinary creativity, and curators excel at articulating concepts, my role is to provide the most effective spatial solutions that align with their ideas. Frequently, artists have a preliminary concept for the exhibition, and it becomes my role to facilitate communication, coordination, and the ultimate realization of the exhibition plan through my expertise in visualization and spatial design.

The exhibition design process commences with the establishment of a preliminary work list, and the initial phase invariably centers on effective communication. I engage in direct meetings with artists and curators to immerse myself in the exhibition concept and the artists' practices, enabling a profound understanding of how the exhibition design can best serve the concept.

Hollow Garden, Exhibition Proposal Designed by Krista Xueying Yu

Subsequently, I meticulously finalize the exhibition layout, area by area, taking into account the relationships between each work and their respective medium. Works that share a strong connection are typically grouped closely together. Given that most exhibitions feature a diverse range of art in various mediums, it is paramount to ensure a seamless transition between different mediums, such as from sculpture to video installation. This phase of exhibition design is pivotal, as it forms the bedrock for the viewer's experience.

Upon the completion of the preliminary layout, I progress to the final phase, which focuses on crafting the exhibition viewing route. This involves envisioning myself as a viewer and mapping out all possible touring routes within the space. I then refine these routes to create the optimal path, incorporating elements like curtains and adjustments to blank spaces, work distances, and heights. This meticulous planning ensures that viewers enjoy an immersive and engaging experience, with each work of art building upon the previous one. The exhibition design process is highly interactive, and it is imperative to collaborate closely with the artist at every step to guarantee that the final design aligns with their vision and fulfills the needs of the exhibition.

4. Can you share your experiences during your three-year involvement with Arco Madrid from 2021 to 2023? How did this experience contribute to your growth as an exhibition designer, and were there any memorable moments or challenges you encountered while working on this prestigious art fair?

Reflecting on my three-year involvement with ARCOmadrid from 2021 to 2023, it has been a truly exhilarating experience to be part of this world-renowned platform, assisting artists in showcasing their work. ARCOmadrid stands as one of the most significant art fairs globally, drawing over 200 galleries from 30+ countries and hosting more than 100,000 visitors each year. Given the exceptionally high volume of foot traffic, designing art fair booths necessitates a distinct approach compared to gallery exhibitions. We often say that we only have a mere 5 seconds to capture the attention of passersby.

Installation shot, ARCOmadrid 2021. Courtesy of Rafael Domenech and Hua International. Booth Designed by Krista Xueying Yu

Through designing three booths for ARCOmadrid, I've honed my ability to create designs that are not only swift and efficient but also compelling, instantly grabbing the attention of attendees. Nevertheless, the challenge of designing for such high traffic is intensified by the fact that I cannot physically inspect the space and surroundings until the event itself. This necessitates a heightened level of advanced visualization and design skills. Being able to vividly imagine the booth design in detail and anticipate the visitors' needs becomes paramount. It is always an immensely satisfying and unforgettable moment when I finally receive the booth photos and witness how my design proposal comes to life in the physical realm.

Installation shot, ARCOmadrid 2022, Courtesy of Isabella Fürnks, Fanny Gicquel, and Hua I

Installation shot, ARCOmadrid 2022. Courtesy of Isabella Fürnks, Fanny Gicquel, and Hua International. Booth Designed by Krista Xueying Yu

5. As the designer for the solo show "Hollow Garden" by Chen Dandizi, whose work explores the intersection of natural and man-made landscapes, what were your creative process and design considerations when conceptualizing the layout and presentation of this specific artist?

“Hollow Garden” marked a significant milestone as Chen Dandizi's first solo exhibition in Europe, introducing a contemporary multimedia Chinese artist to Berlin. The exhibition featured a dynamic mix of video, installation, and painting works, all engaging with the themes of site, nature, and the impact of human intervention. The challenge was to arrange these diverse pieces in a way that effectively communicated the artist's vision.

The exhibition was divided into three distinct showroom spaces. Showroom 1, being the largest and the first space encountered by visitors, required careful planning. We opted for a curved curtain design to beckon audiences into the space while creating a division between sections designated for sculpture and video. To maintain a sense of continuity, we employed a sheer fabric for the entrance curtain and a more opaque curtain further inside, which resulted in a semi-dark room that enhanced the video experience. This two-tone curtain design allowed for a seamless transition between 3D sculpture and 2D video, maintaining the overall flow of the space.

Hollow Garden, Exhibition Proposal Designed by Krista Xueying Yu

In Showroom 2, the centerpiece was a video installation that extended from floor to ceiling. We experimented with various installation methods and eventually settled on a single wooden beam, resembling a tree, blurring the lines between nature and human-made elements, and indoor and outdoor spaces. The two video monitors grew from the wooden beam like natural branches, and the videos were displayed at eye level, forcing viewers to twist and turn to observe the content.

Showroom 3 adopted a different approach for presenting video works, with the artist opting for a more conventional monitor screen. Here, repetitive metal elements lent a colder, more rigid ambiance, creating a modern aesthetic.

Throughout the design process, it was crucial to honor the artist's ideas and facilitate their realization. Final decisions were made after extensive discussions, precise measurements, and design visual iterations. I'm pleased that our collaborative efforts ultimately resulted in a flawless exhibition solution that captured the essence of “Hollow Garden”.

Hollow Garden, Installation Shot. Photo by Timo Ohler, courtesy of Dandizi Chen and Hua International. Exhibition Designed by Krista Xueying Yu

6. Your practices outside of art include bodybuilding, hiking, bartending, cooking, and film photography. How do these diverse personal interests influence your work as an exhibition and interior designer, and have you found any unexpected connections or inspirations between your personal life and your professional role?

Maintaining these diverse interests helps keep me open-minded and adventurous, qualities that are integral to fostering creativity and innovation. At the core of it all is a profound love for life and a relentless curiosity to explore new horizons. This innate drive fuels my exploration of various design domains, spanning from residential interior design to exhibition design and commercial space design.

In an interesting twist connecting my personal life to my professional role, I initially acquired bartending skills from a bartender I met at gallery openings. It serves as a vivid reminder that there are always fresh and exciting discoveries to be made in one's work.

Installation shot, ART BASEL STATEMENTS 2023. Courtesy of Gordon Hall and Hua International. Booth Designed by Krista Xueying Yu

7. In your role as a spatial and visual designer, how do you balance the need to create an immersive and engaging space for art with the practical aspects of logistics and production management for large-scale events like art fairs?

As a designer, my ultimate objective is consistently to craft spaces that offer distinctive experiences and leave a lasting impact. The process of shaping these spaces entails both conceptual design and physical construction. After all, a design, no matter how brilliant, remains mere abstraction if it cannot be effectively realized.

In addressing design challenges that intersect with logistical and production constraints, I remain guided by this overarching goal. Moreover, the artists I collaborate with often serve as a wellspring of inspiration, pushing me to think beyond conventional boundaries and find innovative solutions.

For exhibition design, my approach involves early communication with the curator team or gallery owner. Together, we establish a curated list of works chosen based on considerations of accessibility and transportability. Simultaneously, I make it a point to comprehensively understand their expectations for the specific exhibition or booth. This proactive approach not only ensures the feasibility of the design but also safeguards against last-minute frustrations. I apply this same principle to my work in other domains, such as residential and commercial interior design, assuring the practicality of all my designs.

8. Looking ahead, what are your artistic goals and aspirations for the future? Are there specific projects or directions you're excited to explore in your career?

I hold a deep enthusiasm for upcoming projects, particularly within the realm of exhibitions and booths at Hua International. My profound respect for the artists' vision and creativity makes working alongside them an absolute pleasure and honor. Together, we aim to translate their creative ideas into tangible exhibition experiences that captivate and engage our audience.

Beyond the exciting world of exhibition projects, I eagerly anticipate taking on leadership roles in various interior design and construction projects. These endeavors promise fresh opportunities for innovation and design, enabling me to continue exploring and pushing the boundaries of my career.

Installation shot, ARCOmadrid 2023. Courtesy of Rafael Domenech, Fanny Gicquel, Gordon Hall and Hua International. Booth Designed by Krista Xueying Yu

Interview with Krista Xueying Yu

by Ava Mitchell | October 30, 2023 | Artist Features