About
Inverted Green
Interactive Experience Design | Art Installation | Design Research
Solo project | 2023 - ongoing
Tools: TouchDesigner, Arduino, Autocad, Rhino.
Brief Synopsis
Inverted Green is an Interactive monument space. A critically designed installation that uses an exaggerated dystopian approach to criticize the impact of human activities on plants, especially endangered plants. By reversing the position of viewers and plants, challenge the conventional relationships between people and plants. Plants swing, and the countdown clocks create a dialogue in which plants "yell" for attention and help, encouraging awareness of endangered plants and the conservation of nature.
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Inverted Green - Outtake Behind the Creation, Video, 1'45''
Pictures of the Dongba ritual
I grew up in Lijiang, a minority area of Yunnan province, China, where I was exposed to the Dongba religion. The people believe in animism and practice rituals annually. According to the Dongba Classic, the mountains, rivers and lakes are home to the natural god "Shu", who is considered a half brother to human ancestors. However, due to human activities, including deforestation and overhunting, we disrupt the balance of nature, leading to diseases and natural disasters as punishments from the gods. To seek forgiveness, blessings, and maintain harmony with nature, we established the custom of regularly offering sacrifices each year.
In my hometown, the belief in the divinity of forests and plants is paramount. Hence I want to deep into the relationship between humans and the botanical realm. Through my research I aim to explore our responsibility to maintain a balance and seek blessings for a harmonious coexistence with plants and nature.
My cultural upbringing where the importance of interdependence between humans and nature is so ingrained in the people’s spirituality. My study has therefore critically observed the decline in plants as a result of human activities, and aims at seeking sustainable practices where people can be urged to conserve plants.
Concept Settings
Based on my in-depth analysis of factors contributing to the unpredictable decline rate in plant species, I focus mainly on two human-related phenomena: the social media influencers booming ecotourism that usually unsustainable, and the inefficient market for endangered plants. Such problems depict a shortcoming in plant education and an false entrenched idea that plants existence are for serving human needs.
In the project, I want to defy the notion of anthropocentrism. My idea proposes introducing the Dongba philosophy that we should consider plants as sacred beings and understand that we largely depend on them. My plan is to create a reverse garden, where plants grown from above, symbolize a change of positions, the audience has to look up at the plants instead of stepping on to them. In the main while, a monument space or a zoned-out space that encourages relaxation, meditation, reflection and enlightenment.
Mind Map
To understand the potential barriers and opportunities to effective communication in my space, I create this communication model as below.
Prototype
Tool- AutoCAD, Rhino, Illustrator
One Arduino Mega 2560 board controls the circuit, consisting of eight ultrasonic sensors attach on the carpet. When audience steps onto the carpet, it detects the obstacle/object above it and bounces back the data, then controls the speed and movement of the motor to drive the wood block to swing. At the same time, the data from the sensor drives the countdown clock.
Three Arduino boards stimulate the three tree branches representing the three endangered species, with each countdown clock symbolize the lifespan of each plant.
When audience walks onto the carpet, the interaction begins, representing human activity and plants mechanical stimulation. Continuous and intemperate interaction would cause prolonged stress to plants, result in decline.
Three Arduino boards stimulate the three tree branches representing the three endangered species, with each countdown clock symbolize the lifespan of each plant.
When audience walks onto the carpet, the interaction begins, representing human activity and plants mechanical stimulation. Continuous and intemperate interaction would cause prolonged stress to plants, result in decline.
Tools: Rhino 7, Photoshop
I envision two distinct settings:
- One in the serene openness of a public park, with spacious lawn surrounded by nature. Where my installation act as a public gathering space for people casually strolling into my installation, providing an immersive experience.
- The second scene occurs inside a gallery, where visitors can engage with my work in a curated exhibition space.
The two setting present the potential for my installation to a range of users and providing difference experiences.
For making the physical installation, considering practical challenges, I decided to place it indoor.
Electronic System Design
Design Process Documentation
Print making
- 3 endangered plants species mentioned in the previous survey - Ginkgo, Rafflesia, Calycanth.
- Hard-paper, double-sided printing: one side displaying the plant's appearance and the other side featuring information about the plant.
- Fragmented design to symbolize the endangered status of these plants.
Material Collecting
- Gathered tree branches found on Shanghai streets.
- Collected discarded clothing material form clothing studio, along with packaging paper/plastic, leftover construction materials (scrap iron, iron ornaments) for the carpet.
Carpet Making
- Cut materials into random shapes, sew them together to make a rectangular carpet.
- Attach all 24 ultrasonic sensors to the carpet, connecting the wires.
- Tape the wire joints for security and to prevent loosening.
- Hide the wires beneath the carpet.
- Stick collected materials onto the carpet's surface.
Wood Vessel Making
Choose three appropriately sized wooden blocks, cut, carve, drill, round the edges, apply oil, and test to hang the tree branches using yarn.