" Dreamland " is a famous aria of "The Peony Pavilion" with the household story. We took the classical imageries of the Dreamland that dream journey and lover meeting. And mapped them into three installations in the space. We translated the typical traditional image into a new artistic imagery with modern methods to make familiar traditional objects unfamiliar with futuristic materials and texture to interpret a classic story with a futuristic atmosphere. The overall layout is centered on three art installations that highlighting the theme and story of this space.
Stone lion usually represents doorkeeper. Here, the stone lion stands at the entrance of the "garden" as the guide of the dream; at the same time, the pine bonsai refers to the abstract "garden". The combination of them is the beginning of this dream journey. We de-structure the traditional heavy stone lion and the light and flexible bonsai plant, then recompiled with futuristic materials and details by using cyberpunk language.
Songstress in cheongsam with beautiful makeup can represents prosperous and sophisticated old Shanghai. Music on old records is the most popular sound of the time. Combining two contemporary imageries, the installation presents as a retro performer in this dream journey. The singing of the songstress and the electric sound of the old records make up a wonderful performance.
We extracted the typical images of songstress and old record, then interlace and separate the human body with the records. The songstress presents a broken image with cutting of the records as if she was about to dissipate but still maintained her performance posture which was more like an unreal image in a dream. The bright metal paint texture makes the whole installation show a sense of future science and technology. The records with mixed sizes that cross and protrude around the body represent the electronic music library of the cyber singer, also smybolize her vigorous desire of expression in this dream journey.
Phonograph can record sound and play sound. The image of the traditional phonograph usually has a huge trumpet-like loudspeaker. We combine its recording and playback ability as an imagery with the shape of the speaker to create a dream recorder installation which silently imprinted and collected this incredible dream journey.
The L-shaped site is located on the second floor of Xintiandi Shopping mall which is the first store seen on the escalator. The long facade is directly facing the corridor and escalator as the optimal display position and is arranged as the main entrance and show window. The column in the middle of the entrance is wrapped with a circular LED screen which reduce the presence of the column and makes the colorful dynamic advertising image become the visual center. The short facade reduces the display function because it faces to traffic space for logistics of the mall. In addition to the wall enclosing the reception area, the other part of this side is open and connected with the main entrance. It expands the whole entrance and introduces the customer's sight and movement line inside the store. It also better displays the internal space and art installation. The store is centered on art installations which are surrounded by functional areas such as display cases and reception desks. It highlights the pioneer spirit of the brand and the art theme of this flagship store.
Inside the L-shaped store, the reception area has a background wall with laminated metal plates that becomes a highlight of the interior space. In terms of shape, because the upstairs is a step-seating cinema, the folded metal plates respond the step-shape of the ceiling. In terms of vision, the upward laminates reduce the original ceiling oppression and guide the sight from the wall to the ceiling then radiating to the entire store space. In terms of material selection, the reflection of mirror stainless steel makes the interior space more wide-open. The large area of metal plates shows future pioneer spirit. The angle of the changeful folding surface cut the clear image in mirror and create the sense of exaggerated unreality which not only rich the entire space but also reach the "dream" theme of the space. On this basis, matte stickers of the brand logo are attached to the mirror metal layers that become unusual material contrast of glossy and matte surface.
The material of the whole interior space is cold and hard, which fits the futuristic sense of technology and alienation. Grey matte floor paint, cement-like wall texture paint, highly reflective mirror stainless steel, pure black ceiling, and shiny display cabinet glass, all these different materials collide and combine in the contrast between bright and dark, deep and shallow, smooth and rough, and finally harmonious integration. Curving elements are used to soften the space and counteract the cold and hard sense from large area of metal and gray in the store and on the installations. That also reduces the distance between people and the space and makes the store friendly to the guests.
