Breezing the Spirits

2024｜ Straw, soil, branches, iron wire ｜ L 23 m, H 2.5 m

A golden ribbon-like plane made of straw hovers in space, reflecting the rhythms of nature—sunlight and breeze. As the sun shines and the wind blows, the straw reveals a rich interplay of light, shadow, and dynamic beauty. Viewers can re-examine this material from different heights and angles, experiencing its vitality as a medium embodying the natural rhythm. This piece is both an observation of the environment and a tangible manifestation of my understanding and imagination of natural materials.

Straw, a common and symbolic material in rural areas, is often seen as muddy stalks in rice fields. I chose straw and soil as the primary materials, cutting the straw and weaving it together with wire to transform the slender stalks into a three-dimensional, elastic ribbon-like surface. The installation was installed in an open field near a temple, where the absence of tall structures allows the wind to flow freely and sunlight to enter from different angles. Supported by tree branches, the installation was lifted into the air, with parts gently swaying in the breeze. While part of the piece was designed by man, the rest was completed by nature. The work is soft and undulating, with dynamic highlights and shadows that shift as the angle of the sunlight changes. Especially in bright sunlight, the light/shadow contrast becomes more vivid.

Compared to working indoors, the main challenge of working outdoors is to harmonise with the local landscape, rather than changing the environment to suit the installation. For example, the area already has electricity pylons and crops as fixed elements, so I had to ensure that my work coexisted harmoniously with the landscape. From certain angles, the golden lines of the installation align with the red roofline of the nearby temple; the utility poles along the country lane diminish in height as they recede into the distance, and my work reflects this sense of perspective.

With the help of volunteers, I extended the original 18-meter-long golden ribbon to 23 meters to better suit the expansive space, ensuring it would not be overshadowed by the background while allowing viewers to appreciate it from multiple angles. I also adjusted the position and height of the installation several times. After raising one of the tripods further, I still felt the overwhelming grandeur of nature. So I shifted my strategy and invited viewers to sit down and observe. From a lower vantage point, the golden lines, set against the blue sky, appear lighter and more vibrant.

This work is an invitation to engage in a dialogue with nature. I hope to encourage viewers to re-examine the subtle connections between everyday materials and the environment.

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This installation was created at Dacheng Experimental Art Elementary School in Pingtung, Taiwan. Artists from Taiwan, Belgium, Indonesia, Thailand, Mexico, and the Netherlands were invited to explore the local surroundings and natural materials to create their artworks. Collaborating with the students, the artists aimed to integrate aesthetic literacy into everyday life.