The String of Qingshan – the main stage installation of "2023 REVERBERATION QINGSHAN Art SEASON"
- Digital Bamboo Weaving Device for Dialogue with Starry Sky and Bamboo Forest
Hangzhou/ Yuan JIANG
In the quaint village of Qingshan, situated in the heart of Hangzhou, a captivating bamboo structure installation called "The String of Qingshan" harmoniously blends with the expansive bamboo-covered mountains, creating a remarkable stage setting. This striking masterpiece is the central stage installation crafted by the Yuan JIANG and his team for the local Alibaba Design Week satellite exhibition, known as the "2023 REVERBERATION QINGSHAN Art SEASON."
Engage in a Dialogue with the Stars and Listen to the Echoes of Nature
In a lush and verdant environment, the introduction of contemporary industrial design naturally sparks a clash of concepts. What exactly does the term "future village" signify? Must construction always entail the intrusion of modern technology? The architect's ambition is to establish local public art in natural locale rather than urban industrial achievements.
Yuan JIANG aspires to initiate a conversation between the traditional bamboo and modern digital media. This dialogue is intended to resonate with the bamboo-covered mountains and the starry night sky, forming a space where one can tune in to the natural echoes within the lush mountains.
A dynamic and harmonious relationship
In String Theory, the cosmos is brimming with tiny strings. As these strings vibrate, they produce the cosmic symphony of the infinite universe.
Drawing creative inspiration from this concept, Yuan JIANG envisions the formation of the 'Symphony of Life,' where 'mountain's bamboo' and 'human's art' act as strings, intertwining to create a grand circular harp upon the Earth.
The String of Qingshan primarily utilizes bamboo from the local area. It incorporates smart optoelectronic systems and employs digital art to establish a bridge between the virtual and tangible realms. It weaves the pristine shape of a Mobius ring, vividly standing amidst the mountains adorned with lively orange hues.
Holistic On-site Sustainable Strategy
The rural installation, situated in the mountain, symbolizes a profound connection with the natural world. The architects are resolute in their commitment to an indigenous approach for every aspect of construction: materials sourced from the land, reliance on local craftsmanship, on-site production, and a deliberate effort to reduce the use of industrial building materials. Ultimately, every bamboo component employed in the installation is harvested from the mountains, subjected to traditional processes of burning, drying, and shaping, and masterfully woven by skilled local artisans.
The entire load-bearing section of the stage is intricately crafted from bamboo. Creating such a large and complex bamboo structure, with the stage adorned in a bamboo woven exterior, proved to be a formidable task for the local artisans. The realization of "The String of Qingshan" was achieved through persistent on-site collaboration and communication between numerous resident designers and craftsmen.
As the art season comes to a close, amidst the bustling activities, "The String of Qingshan" has transformed into a serene retreat and entertainment spot for the local villagers. This installation has also evolved into two distinct types of stages, each serving different purposes: the primary outward stage for grand events and the intimate inner theater for smaller performances.
The Qingshan Stage: Gateway to the Starry Sky
The creative direction revolves around presenting traditional materials in a novel and immersive manner while seamlessly infusing a contemporary essence into the work. On the very first night when the team arrived at Qingshan Village, the awe-inspiring stars in the expansive sky left a profound impact on them. After several endeavors, the team consistently pursued the design concept of melding digital and tangible elements, skillfully combining digital lighting and shadow systems with conventional materials.
During the night, as the programmatically controlled light and shadows illuminate, it sparkles akin to a spinning Milky Way amongst the mountains, offering a romantic sensation as if one has entered the starry sky. Here, nature, technology, and art harmoniously coexist.
Upon its completion, the String of Qingshan rests gently against the verdant lawn, gazing out towards the bamboo-covered mountain in the backdrop. In this interplay of colors, light and shadow gracefully intertwine.
On regular days, it invites conversations with the starry sky through its simple colors and shapes. When the atmosphere is vibrant, the interplay of light, shadow, and melody envelops individuals in the intensity of art.
In this space, individuals encounter the harmonious bond between themselves and the natural world, discovering the boundless potential of life. It's not just an artistic installation but a space for everyone to express themselves and engage with the expansive mountains, forests, and meadows.
This marks the team's inaugural artistic endeavor within a mountain village. The entire work process resembles a dialogue:
A dialogue between external teams and local inhabitants,
A dialogue between pristine form and natural processes,
A dialogue between digital media and traditional craftsmanship,
A dialogue between contemporary innovation and local life.
Team:
Architects: Space10 & SODA Architects
Chief Architect: Yuan JIANG
Team: Xueying ZHANG, Hanwei LI, Jiansheng DONG, Yue HE, Maosen SANG, Xue WANG, Yan TIAN
Digital Media Content Production: Ying WANG
Photo credit: SODA, Peng WANG, Qimin ZHANG, Wei WANG, 2023 REVERBERATION QINGSHAN ART SEASON
Materials Used:
Bamboo
