We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Tairan Hao about their original and creative Art Installation design work. Tairan Hao is an award-winning communication designer, that makes our world a better place with their original art installation works.
Tairan Hao ("TH") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Ceramics Extension Art Installation. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
TH : The relationship between the virtual world and the real world generates the form of this installation design and the traditional method of crafting versus what can be crafted with contemporary technologies. The development of civilization proceeds as time goes on. Therefore, the mirror reflection in the installation's interior space shows the infinite possibility of what time can change. Technology allows humans to define what is real and what is virtual and all the connections.
TH : I wanted to focus on giving a compelling feeling to the audience while I can express my idea in the right way.
TH : Based on the concept of this design, I will try to expand my works and create new works that form an independent series.
TH : The project started in 2016 in Beijing and finished in 2017. It was exhibited in Beijing Today Art Museum in 2017.
TH : The visual interaction generates a strong feeling to the audiences that every object, everyone, everything is being extended infinitely. With the presence of sculpture, it is communicating part of the objects they see are real, but the other objects are the reflection by the mirrors, which is unreal. The interaction makes people think that they are stepping into a fantasy world that is created by themselves.
TH : I am not planning to sell the work at this moment because the sculpture quantity is limited.
TH : The interactive need from the audience. My intention was not to only let people see the outcome of my exploration, but also have an interactive and immersive feeling while they look at them.
TH : The audience who went to the art exhibition.
TH : The name is directly expressing the concept of the work - ceramics extension: what can be expanded and explored based on the original characteristics of ceramics.
TH : 3D printing; Plastic; aluminum mirrors; porcelain, LED lights
TH : When the audiences step into the installation space, they will sense a feeling of visual infinity. The visual interaction generates a strong feeling to the audiences that every object, everyone, everything is being extended infinitely. The interaction makes people think that they are stepping into a fantasy world that is created by themselves.
TH : I collaborate with Shan, my partner, who initialized the idea that using mirrors as an element in the space design.
TH : The installation is formed by traditional handmade ceramics sculptures and 3D printed plastic sculptures. There is a total of 130 pieces of sculptures in the installation space. The installation is designed to display in a space surrounded by reflected glass mirrors, with 5 LED lights that give the audience a fantasy and futuristic feeling. The installation design's meaning is to show the communication between the future and the past, modern technology and traditional handicraft, the real world, and the virtual world.
TH : I did some research on the characteristic of traditional ceramics versus the characteristic of the modern technology 3D printer. My research outcome allowed me to produce the visual effect of my 3D printed sculptures.
TH : The arrangement of the sculptures was one of the challenges in the design process. Some of the ceramics were too heavy to use ropes to hold and connect with the roof. Therefore, most of the sculptures are remade and reprinted by the 3D printer, using lighter materials then sprayed by the glazed-look white color to the surface.
