Starburst

as Architects

PAO,Guanzhong Mangba Arts Festival Organizing Committee View Gallery

Starburst is an abstract sculpture set against vast wheat fields at the foot of nearby mountains. As both a visual and interactive public art installation, it offers a novel way to experience the natural environment, creating a striking intervention in the rural landscape.

photo_credit PAO,Guanzhong Mangba Arts Festival Organizing Committee — PAO,Guanzhong Mangba Arts Festival Organizing Committee

Peering into the arms of Starburst reveals views into other worlds,colorful mosaics of natural imagery. Visitors are invited to engage with their surroundings and each other through a spherical array of kaleidoscopes. These optical instruments capture unique views of the sky, mountains, fields, and nearby villages, offering a constantly changing visual experience through their patterned reflections.

Shifts in the environment and changing perspectives establish a dynamic connection between the observer and the landscape. Beyond environmental engagement, Starburst fosters human connection. Each cylinder functions as a kaleidoscope, allowing people to view the environment or each other through shifting reflections.

Entering the center of Starburst offers a simultaneous panoramic view, surrounding the viewer from all angles. Visitors standing at opposite ends of the cylinders can see kaleidoscopic images of each other, creating playful and engaging interactions. From a distance, Starburst stands as a old landmark in the landscape.

Its vibrant color dramatically contrasts with the muted tones of the surrounding fields and mountains. The installation ’ s design and interaction with the environment create a unique sense of place, connecting people to the rural surroundings in novel ways.

Through its playful structure, Starburst transforms its surroundings into a.space for exploration, reflection, and connection. The project site is near Caijiapo Village in southern Xi ’ an, where the Qinling Mountains stretch endlessly, with villages scattered among the wheat fields. People’s Architecture Office designed Starburst and a visitor center as part of the 5th edition of the Guangzhong Manba Arts Festival, a public art program that supports artistic interventionsn in rural locations.