Ailin DONG｜董愛琳

Knitting Echoes is an interactive textile installation that explores the resilience of cultural identity under systems of control. Viewers transform pre-knitted fabric through cutting, stitching, painting, and layering—symbolizing the continuous reshaping of identity. Servo motors apply tension to the fabric, while a sound sensor responds to the surrounding environment, triggering sudden or subtle movements. These shifting gestures reflect how identity and democracy are stretched, interrupted, and reconfigured in response to external forces—both political and technological. This project was made possible with the generous support of DXC Summit 2025 and the Delegation of the European Union to Canada. Special thanks to Xinzhou Zhang @xinzhou_xz , @dfff_studio for structural and technical support. And @amlordnick . 📸： @ocaduniversity @xinzhou_xz #democracyxchange #interactiveart #servo #arduino #fabric #interactivefabrics #interactiveinstallation #installation #artist #digitalfutures #multidisplinary #interactivedesign #creativecomputing #dxc2025

I’m so grateful to have shown my new work Knitting Echoes (prototype 1 & 2) at Nuit Blanche Toronto 2025 The installation was displayed in St. Lawrence Market North, one of the city’s oldest and most iconic sites — a space where history meets modern architecture. It felt meaningful to show my work there, as it also explores the balance between tradition, technology, and renewal. The night was incredible — so many people stopped by, shared their thoughts, and made me feel supported and seen. Honestly, preparing this exhibition after returning to Toronto was exhausting — balancing work, study, and endless technical challenges almost broke me. But I was so lucky to have incredible friends: Kathy @kathyhzhou , Zainab @zainab_makes_things , Unity @unityiseverywhere (playing music for 3 hours nonstop!!), and Joshua @joshua_pothen , those friends helped me every step of the way — staying late in the studio, performing music for hours at the opening, and even helping me uninstall the work at 5 a.m. My collaborator Xinzhou @xinzhou_xz supported from across the ocean, always checking in and solving problems remotely. and @dfff_studio for tech, structure, making support, they have really great team in making installations. Two years ago, I walked through Nuit Blanche just as a visitor, dreaming that one day I could show my own work. Standing there this year felt surreal — a reminder that persistence really matters. I’ll keep making, learning, and creating. It’s all I want to do. 📸:@curio_my_cure #installtionart #interactiveart #toronto #nuitblancheto #nuitblanche #newmediaartist #torontoartists

Some of my recent digital art in the handmade, self-designed little boxes I’ve been experimenting with. They’re also rechargeable portable installations that can blend into different parts of everyday living aesthetics. If you’re interested in the making process, I’ll post more behind-the-scenes and production details later On sell at @artivition @ocaduniversity gradex #interactiveart #digitalart #arduino #ocadu #creativecomputing

Check out a little excerpt from a very fun jam with @dalin_dal & @unityiseverywhere from a couple months ago! It’s always exciting getting to play with new gear and improvise with artists from different musical backgrounds. 🫶⚡️🔊 #modulartechno #improvisedtechno #mother32 #somaterra #somapipe

Exhibition Thanks @000000000000_studio for inviting

2025. 11. 15

Share some clips of my knitting echoes 2.0 #interactiveart #kineticsculpture #arduino #installationart #newmediaartist #newmediaarts #physicalcomputing #digitalart #creativecomputing

Knitting echoes prototype 2 (2025) . . . . . 📸: Sia Prasad@berrystar42 #interactiveart #installationart #arduino #scuplture #kineticart #kineticsculpture #creativecomputing #artistintoronto

I’ll be presenting my work KNITTING EHCOES 1 & 2 ( which is the new one made during Gladstone hotel artist residency) tomorrow at Nuit Blanche Toronto 2025 , work number 116— You’re invited Artist: Ailin Dong & Xinzhou Zhang Medium: Interactive Installation Where:St. Lawrence Market North — 92 Front St. E, Toronto (M5E 0G2) Access: Elevator on site; public washrooms available. A dynamic textile installation that listens to the city. Ten small robotic arms gently pull and ripple layers of knitted fabric in response to Toronto’s night rhythms—voices, footsteps, music, ambient sound. Add your sound, watch the choreography change in real time. One night only, free & open to all. Grateful to our community workshop participants, technical collaborator Xinzhou Zhang, @xinzhou_xz tech support Zainab Husain @zainab_makes_things , Kathy H. Zhou @kathyhzhou , and the support of OCAD University @ocaduniversity – Digital Futures @digitalfuturesgrad and Nuit Blanche Toronto’s @nuitblancheto Independent Project program, and @gladstonehouseto where I made the second piece during the artist residency. #nuitblancheto #stlawrencemarket #interactiveart #textileart #kineticart #soundart #installationartist #torontoart #ocad #digitalfutures #independentproject #robotics #communityart

Knitting echoes （2025 ）at @stantecwindowgallery From June-October 2025 📸: @tomarbanphotography

Come see our new installation! Knitting Echoes explores future textiles through ten robotic arms that respond to sound, stretching knitted fabric to reveal an evolving dialogue between technology, environment, and traditional craftsmanship. Artists: Ailin Dong , Xinzhou Zhang [Professional photography coming soon]

Knitting, robotics, and mushrooms? 🍄🧶🤖 ​ Meet Ailin, a graduate student in Digital Futures at @ocaduniversity and our current artist-in-residence at Gladstone House! ​ She’s working on an interactive installation where robotic arms pull and stretch knitted fabric in response to sound. Inspired by fungi, softness, and machines, her work explores how technology and nature can quietly coexist. ​ Come by tonight from 6-8pm for Art Celebration at Gladstone House and get an inside look at Ailin’s work in progress.​ . . . #GladstoneHouse #ArtistInResidence #InstallationArt #TorontoArtists​