Chinese teen's sci-fi art series showcased in Las Vegas

The Playpower Collection, an innovative art series by 19-year-old Chinese artist Chen Yanran and her studio Accro Studio, was presented at ComplexCon 2024 in Las Vegas over the weekend. The event marked the international debut of the collection, which is inspired by the animated IP WaarWorld.

WaarWorld, developed by Storycom, is based on Supernova Era, the first full-length sci-fi novel by Liu Cixin, the Hugo Award-winning author of The Three-Body Problem. The IP aims to extend beyond animation to include sculptures and other creative works.

Originally published in 1991 and finalized in 2003 after five revisions, Supernova Era merges contemporary realities with literary aesthetics, capturing Liu's signature narrative style.

Chen, born in 2005, serves as the lead designer for the Playpower Collection. Her distinctive, postmodern sci-fi aesthetic aligns seamlessly with the themes of Supernova Era.

In addition to a display area dedicated to WaarWorld and Chen's anime and trendy art toys, the exhibition also featured Chen's new sculptures, including The Mechanical Lifeform and Dinner, alongside other works.