Community Portal

Hejun Cai (apm)

Art teacher, Head of Wuji House, Supervisor of Art Club

Art MFA in California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). Participated in the curation of multiple art exhibitions and events in both museums and online platforms, working with more than 60 artists from China and abroad. Practiced art in drawing/painting, music/sound, photography/video, installation, performance, design, writing and translation.

As an art teacher, he wrote and taught the New Media Installation and Introduction to Landscape course independently; collaboratively he wrote and taught the Introduction Art and Art & Design Projects, guiding learners at different levels to establish their own aesthetic and creative language, and building a sincere and sustainable environment for communication and exhibition. As a House head, he has designed and hosted most of the house assemblies, led the school dance party, and assisted in the planning of Frisbee tournaments, athletic events, and drama festivals, encouraging different voices from students so they can hear each other in their own way. Art can be a lifestyle in the school community, so all of us can find our own diverse connections with it.

He explores various transformations between digital technology and the physical environment. By creating integrative opportunities among different subjects and media, cultural phenomena and philosophical understandings that transcend form can be inspired. He uses sensory experiences and experiments with digital techniques to find and convey empathy among cultures and then returns vigorous art to the daily lives of the public.

Projects2

How can time be seen and heard?

Disciplines/Subjects: Performing Arts / Visual Arts Key Themes: Watch designs / Music Production Performing arts teacher Leo Xu and visual arts teacher APM collaborated on a cross-disciplinary creative teaching project—“Time in Sight & Sound.” The two teachers guided learners in exploring the interconnected perception and imagination between visual and auditory arts. Centered around the theme of “Time,” the learners created many outstanding works.

Capturing the trajectory of movement under slow-motion lenses

Disciplines/Subjects: Health and Sports & Visual Arts Key Themes: Slow motion and movement trajectory. Scientific Research and Artistic Presentation Biomechanical Analysis: Slow-motion footage can be utilized in biomechanical studies to scrutinize muscle activity and force transmission during movements. For instance, when examining the batting trajectory in baseball, slow-motion can capture the muscle contractions and the path of the movement, providing a foundation for scientific training. Data Recording and Analysis: Slow-motion can record detailed data of movements for subsequent analysis and research. For example, in track and field training, it can document an athlete's running posture and stride frequency, assisting coaches in devising more scientific training plans. Visual Effects Presentation: Slow-motion enhances visual effects, enabling students to more intuitively comprehend the physical processes of movements. Display of Action Details: Slow-motion can clearly reveal complex actions and movement trajectories, allowing the audience to appreciate every detail of the action. For example, in action films, slow-motion is often used to showcase stunts and fight scenes, intensifying visual impact. Aesthetic of Movement: Slow-motion can transform ordinary actions into visually appealing experiences with artistic beauty. For example, slow-motion footage of dance or sports movements can highlight the grace and power of motion. Students will take burst photographs of their peers' swinging motion, stitch each frame together in photoshop as a work of chronophotography. Through the process, they will observe the continuous motion of sport and transform it into colorful visual languages.