Own A Unique Piece Of Cinematic History: Yi Zhou’s New Artworks Include Archival Materials

Photo Credit: Yi Zhou courtesy Yi ZhouStudio

Now, there’s a way to own a unique part of cinematic history in the form of fine art! Leading filmmaker and visual artist Yi Zhou will release a collection of brand-new artworks entitled “In Between Stars and Scars,” inspired by her documentary “In Between Stars and Scars: Masters of Cinema,” in 2025.

“This name reflects the collection’s essence,” Zhou explains. “The artworks mirror the journey the documentary takes, a path that swings between the stars’ exciting achievements and their unique vulnerabilities — their scars.”

The inspiration behind Zhou’s new collection

The inspiration to create this art collection came to Zhou while she was serving as a producer and director for her documentary — another piece of art. “Legendary filmmakers and artists shared their emotional and creative stories for the film,” she says. “That’s what inspired me. Their personal narratives sparked ideas for translating their experiences into new multimedia art.”

Zhou’s new multimedia project also includes contributions from three-time Oscar-winning Italian production designer Dante Ferretti (“Hugo,” “Gangs of New York”). “It’s helpful to think of each artwork as a metaphor,” Zhou explains. “Each one tells a different story.”

While several major themes emerge from the collection, many explore the personal journeys of the famous stars of cinema Zhou interviewed for the documentary. “I wanted to honor the struggles these creators needed to overcome,” Zhou says. “I wanted to highlight how their personal journeys influenced their artistic legacies. Often, it’s our scars that shape our masterpieces.”

As such, “In Between Stars and Scars” not only celebrates the history of cinema but also pays homage to resilience and transformation.

The making of Zhou’s new collection

Photo Credit: Yi Zhou courtesy Yi ZhouStudio

Each of the 15 pieces in Zhou’s “In Between Stars and Scars” is a unique artistic masterpiece. Zhou blends conceptual art with cinematic visuals, combining the physical and digital together to make the most of each. 

“The collection incorporates a mix of cinematic stills from the documentary, archival film materials, layered mixed media, and AI-generated enhancements,” Zhou says. “Every piece is a fragment of cinematic history. Physical elements like film reels, scripts, and storyboards are integrated directly into the composition.”

Zhou began the process of making each of these unique artworks by revisiting her archival footage. “I picked stills that would be iconic and unique,” Zhou says. “Most of the images I chose are behind-the-scenes moments from the taping of the documentary.”

Zhou used these one-of-a-kind stills as the physical foundation for her compelling multimedia visuals. She digitally altered the images for effect and added additional handmade layers. She also heightened the emotional depth of the scenes by injecting AI-generated patterns.

But that’s not all — to make the pieces literally stand out, she gave each a tactile layer that moves the pieces into the realm of the three-dimensional. “In this way, the images escape the canvas and command attention,” she says.

Multidimensional narratives that celebrate creativity

As awards season gets underway, “In Between Stars and Scars: Masters of Cinema” has been attracting buzz as possibly the best documentary of the year. With the release of Zhou’s new art collection, it’s now possible to own a piece of this momentous cultural achievement. Her company, Into The Sun Entertainment, is also currently supporting the motion television fund MPTF through entertainment projects to benefit the victims of the recent outbreak of wildfires in California.

According to Zhou, the artworks in “In Between Stars and Scars” will officially be available for purchase starting January 2025. “They will be exhibited online on platforms like Artsy and Saatchi Artz,” she says. “Each piece will either be one of a kind or part of a small, numbered series.”

Zhou’s new collection is a tribute to cinema as an art form while offering compelling fine art of its own. Transcending traditional boundaries, this work presents a fusion of filmmaking, visual art, and digital wizardry. The result is multidimensional narratives that celebrate the enduring spirit of creativity.

“Storytelling is transformative,” Zhou says. “With each piece of this collection, I wanted to bring that magic alive.”

Written in partnership with APG

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