Meet Mingze Gao

We were lucky to catch up with Mingze Gao recently and have shared our conversation below.

Mingze, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

In my practice, I often find myself at the intersection of two seemingly distant worlds—technological innovation and traditional fine art. As a graduate of NYU Tisch’s Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP), I was surrounded by peers exploring experimental uses of emerging tech. But unlike many, I focused on blending these tools with the emotional and philosophical depth of fine art. I’ve always believed that technology is a means, not an end—that it should support artistic expression, not replace its core. Even when my approach felt different from others in the room, staying true to this vision has guided me. I continue to evolve both conceptually and technically, committed to creating work that reflects the complexity of our time—because I believe interactive art is the language of our era.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m an installation artist exploring the dormant emotional Forms within the human heart. Rooted in Plato’s Theory of Forms, my work investigates themes of love, memory, and identity through physical installations, digital media, and interactive experiences. What excites me most is creating immersive encounters that allow viewers not just to observe, but to feel—to step inside a space where emotions are not passively received, but actively constructed and projected onto the world around them.

My practice is often marked by a sense of romanticism and idealism. I’m drawn to the idea that art can reach beyond the surface of daily life and touch something timeless, ineffable, and deeply human. In recent projects, I’ve explored the fragile yet enduring nature of human connection, using materials like concrete, glass, wood, and projected light to evoke contrasts between permanence and ephemerality.

I continue to expand my work at the intersection of physical sculpture and interactive technology, always guided by the belief that while tools evolve, the emotional truths we seek through art remain constant. I’m currently developing a new immersive installation that integrates real-time motion tracking, generative visuals, and multi-surface projection—an exploration of presence, rhythm, and relational space.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. Work is the only rule – Talk less, make more.

2. Show, not tell.

3. Never stop learning – Whether it’s a new technology or a new way of thinking.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

When I feel overwhelmed, I remind myself that anxiety often comes from not knowing how much time or energy a task will actually take. It’s the uncertainty—how long it will take, how hard it might be—that fuels the stress. But the only way to gain clarity is by doing. If you let the negative emotions stop you, the fog only thickens.

My strategy is simple: when lost in the fog, keep walking. Start with whatever small step you can take. Action is the antidote to uncertainty. By moving forward, even slowly, you begin to understand the scope of the challenge—and with that understanding, the weight begins to lift.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mingze.art/
• Instagram: @mingzewiththez
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mingze-gao-3724a2217/

Image Credits

Yufei Ma