Day and Night
Installation
Project Name
Day and Night
Year
2016
Type
Installation
The central structure of this dynamic installation, a bamboo pole, symbolises the resilience, adaptability, and continuous growth characteristic of everyday working individuals. The choice of bamboo serves as a metaphor for the ceaseless dedication and persistence of these individuals as they navigate their daily tasks.
As daylight bathes the installation, the bamboo pole adopts a bent posture, mirroring the bent figures of tireless workers immersed in their daily grind. Simultaneously, three iridescent discs, located at the bamboo structure's three joints, unfold like peacock plumage in full display, signifying the day's productive efforts and their tangible, colourful outcomes.
As dusk blankets the day, and the world transitions into night, the bamboo pole extends upright. Three lights, nested within the structure, begin to radiate a warm glow. This transformation represents the end of a workday, as people return home to share the light of their love and affection with family and loved ones.
The structure's apex, a 3D-printed, translucent element resembling a bird's beak, houses a light sensor. This sensor collects ambient light data, channelling it down the length of the pole to a microprocessor housed at the installation's base. This base is also home to a motor mechanism that winds a thread reel, facilitating the bending and stretching motion of the installation's structure.
This sketch provides a detailed side-view of the installation, clearly demonstrating its intricate construction and unique design elements. The side-view photograph of the fully-realised installation captures its striking physical presence, showcasing the unfolding of the iridescent discs and the bending bamboo structure in the light of day.
A comprehensive video demonstration details the installation's function in real-time, capturing its graceful transformation from day to night, and highlighting the interplay between light, motion, and the installation's structural design.
Below, you'll find an in-depth PDF process book, chronicling all aspects of this project's development. This document provides a step-by-step look at the installation's conception, design, construction, and final presentation. Please note that the text is designed to be read from right to left. For a downloadable version, click the button in the top right-hand corner and select 'download'.