Generative Art Timeline · Chapter 10: On-Chain Era (2020s)
2022
Memories of Qilin by Emily Xie

In March, this generative long-form Art Blocks Curated project was inspired by traditional East Asian art and folklore. Through code, Xie recreates the fluidity and movement found in classical paintings, drawing inspiration from the colors and forms of woodblock prints.
The project evokes religious themes and mythological imagery—dragons, phoenixes and the qilin, a symbol of prosperity. Programmed in p5.js, Memories of Qilin merges ancient cultural heritage with modern digital techniques—a project typical of a day where the roles of religion and art are blurring.
Text by Peter Bauman. Generative Art Timeline, Le Random.
Sources
People
Movements
Blockchain Art, Ethereum Art, long-form generative art
Filed under
- Ideas
- Blockchain Art, Ethereum Art, folklore, mythology, religion
- Technologies
- long-form generative art, p5.js, woodblock prints
- People
- Emily Xie
- Works
- Memories of Qilin
- Exhibitions
- Programmed
- Organisations
- Art Blocks
- Places
- East Asia
Related moments
Echoes across time
- 1968 · Notable computer artworks
- 1996 · John Maeda joins the MIT Media Lab
- 1970 · City Painting by Grace C. Hertlein
Le Random editorials
- Can Art Replace Religion?, Peter Bauman, August 5, 2024
- Emily Xie on Textile as Personal Canvas, Peter Bauman, March 27, 2024
- Julia Kaganskiy on Generativity’s Deeper Consideration, Peter Bauman, June 23, 2025
- Infinite Images, Finite Control, Kevin Buist, July 28, 2025
Le Random podcast
- Recapping Digital Art in 2Q 2025 — listen with transcript on Le Random (29 Jun 2025, 56 min). Transcript mentions Emily Xie. Apple Podcasts · Spotify
- Timeline Ch 10—On-Chain Era (2020s) with Erick Calderon, Lauren Lee McCarthy, Itzel Yard & Rafael Lozano-Hemmer — listen with transcript on Le Random (02 Sep 2024, 63 min). Chapter 10’s episode. Apple Podcasts · Spotify