“I’m Gonna Cry But Smile”
For the second edition of *Tiny Moving Space*, ChiLab presents a curated collection of small-scale creative works born from a dialogue between the following artists and studios:
– @astrohihoay (Võ Tuấn Anh): Visual Artist
– @geno_korner (Geno Korner): Visual Studio
Under the theme: “I’m gonna cry but smile”
ChiLab, together with Astro (Võ Tuấn Anh) and Geno Korner, explores those moments in life of being “on the verge of tears yet still smiling”—reflecting the encounters of modern life that are by turns endearing and humorous, yet also complex and troublesome.
ChiLab – Still Living
“TINY MOVING SPACE” –
An experiment by ChiLab Vietnam. It focuses on fostering an intimate connection between the artist and reflections on contemporary life through hands-on crafting activities.
Through this process, we slow down and adjust the pace of our digital lives by creating miniature models; we observe real-life issues to incorporate into these models, which are then easily portable for display in various locations.
This allows artists more time to gradually reconnect with the real world.
ChiLab’s objective is to journey from the real world to the virtual world and back again.
I’m Gonna Cry But Smile.
I’m on the verge of tears, yet I’m smiling. It is an emotional state that reflects a variety of situations. It could be a sense of inner melancholy while still successfully completing a task alongside a team. It could be a series of snapshots from life—a blend of slight pessimism, a touch of optimism, and a glimmer of hope.
Creator, Graphic Designer, and Illustrator.
I approach illustration with a sense of humor and love capturing the everyday emotions and simple moments of life.
My dream is to use my art to connect people and spread hope and kindness, contributing to a more beautiful world.
About Geno Korner
Passionate about sketching and multimedia illustration applications. Reminding humanity of human qualities—love, nature, and harmony with the universe.
“Ngày Chênh Vênh”-(Days of Uncertainty) by Astro Võ Tuấn Anh
Context
By 2026, we see a world driven by technology yet fraught with volatility; waves of innovation—from AI to shifting geopolitics—leave people increasingly skeptical and anxious about the future. At the same time, we are striving to adapt and motivate ourselves, discovering increasingly creative approaches to our work and problem-solving.
I witness waves of layoffs and friends in the creative sector struggling to make ends meet amidst digital transformation. Yet, this is juxtaposed with the rise of artists who manage to stand out in this chaotic era, as well as the incredible access to knowledge that AI affords.
The turning point came with a sincere remark from my nephew: “When I grow up, I’m going to be an artist.” His mother, worried, looked at me with a silent plea for help. I realized I was living in an era where boundaries are blurring—between hobbies and careers, between our aspirations and reality. I found myself genuinely encouraging my nephew in the present moment, while simultaneously feeling a cautious anxiety as I looked toward an uncertain future.
I realize that even in moments of peace, I am sometimes troubled by thoughts about the future. My parents’ generation could steadfastly pursue a research career for years—despite the fact that the upheavals of their era differed vastly from ours. Yet, in today’s hyper-connected world of the internet and social media, we constantly feel judged and pressured to excel; even when I try to tune it all out, I sometimes feel as though I am living life on a stage. While I believe creators will generally stay focused on their work and block out the noise, the clamor surrounding the current wave of workforce displacement is loud enough to be deeply unsettling for us.
Deep down, I realize I will continue to pursue my personal ideals while navigating market expectations and the need for change. I do not oppose AI, the volatility, the expectations, or the scrutiny—these are inevitable, unchangeable realities. Instead, I want to emphasize the importance of human identity and the value of embracing the present moment, even amidst the chaos.
We choose to love, even knowing it may bring us pain; we choose to keep moving forward, knowing we might fall again, only to rise and walk on. We choose to embrace a positive mindset amidst a world that is both turbulent and full of exciting possibilities awaiting us.
Practice
*Days of Uncertainty* (Ngày chênh vênh) consists of 15 illustrations depicting ordinary people confronting their inner selves. It captures the tug-of-war between the desire to live authentically in the present and the pressure to adapt to societal changes and expectations.
The artworks revolve around themes such as facing expectations, consumerism, performative living, balance, excitement, diligent effort, loss of faith, giving up, and finding balance while savoring the present moment.
“I’m Gonna Cry But Smile” by Geno Korner
Geno Korner’s hand-drawn illustrations evoke a sense of playful effort masking underlying harsh realities. They depict complex human situations—such as infidelity born of childishness and individual irresponsibility—while drawing parallels between the inner psyche and the natural world to highlight contrasts that are at once brutal and humorous. Through self-deprecating reflections on one’s current state, the work encourages a shift toward better qualities, such as ethical integrity and a sense of responsibility toward nature.
“I’m Gonna Cry But Smile”
For the second edition of *Tiny Moving Space*, ChiLab presents a curated collection of small-scale creative works born from a dialogue between the following artists and studios:
– @astrohihoay (Võ Tuấn Anh): Visual Artist
– @geno_korner (Geno Korner): Visual Studio
ChiLab, together with Astro (Võ Tuấn Anh) and Geno Korner, explores those moments in life of being “on the verge of tears yet still smiling”
Reflecting the encounters of modern life that are by turns endearing and humorous, yet also complex and troublesome.
ChiLab – Still Living
