Aeon Sculpture Installation by Jung-Mei Wou

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DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?

JW : The main inspiration behind the design of "Aeon" is Zhuangzi's philosophy, specifically the fable "A Happy Excursion" from the first chapter. The design aims to explore the interdependence of seemingly opposing phenomena.

DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?

JW : The primary focus was to convey the relationship between duality and interdependence through the fusion of large and small elements. It aimed to create an illusion of personal subconsciousness when viewed up close.

DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?

JW : Future plans involve further exhibitions and potentially making the work available for purchase.

DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?

JW : The design concept took one year from the initial model to the finished work.

DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?

JW : The design concept was inspired by Zhuangzi's philosophy and was not commissioned but pursued as an artistic exploration.

DI: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?

JW : The design is not being mass-produced but could be made available for exhibition and art installations or available for purchase.

DI: What made you design this particular type of work?

JW : The inspiration from Zhuangzi's philosophy and the desire to convey the relationship between contrasting elements motivated the design.

DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?

JW : The design takes its primary inspiration from the philosophical work of Zhuangzi and is an original creation by the artist.

DI: Who is the target customer for his design?

JW : The target audience for this design would likely be art enthusiasts and those interested in philosophical concepts.

DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?

JW : What sets this design apart is its exploration of interdependence and illusion, making it a unique sculptural work.

DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?

JW : The name "Aeon" suggests the idea of eternity, reflecting the concept of time and space explored in the design.

DI: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?

JW : Design tools used may include 3D modeling software, welding equipment, and aerodynamic analysis tools.

DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?

JW : The most unique aspect is the interplay of abstract shapes, light, and shadow to create an illusion of personal subconsciousness.

DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?

JW : This artwork is an original design created by me. It involved collaboration with skilled metal craftsmen for the construction of the large sculpture.

DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?

JW : Technology plays a role in the design, particularly in shaping the sculpture to withstand wind load.

DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?

JW : The design is influenced by aerodynamic shape optimization, which helped achieve the desired aesthetics while considering wind load.

DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?

JW : Challenges included achieving a sense of lightness with the double curved surface for the support points. Multiple models were created to test the circular holes' impact on the sculpture's center of gravity.

DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?

JW : The decision to submit to an international design competition aimed to gain recognition and exposure for the artwork.

DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?

JW : The design process involved gaining a deeper understanding of structural mechanics and artistic expression.

DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?

JW : Art and design have the power to inspire, connect, and heal the human spirit. It's a privilege to be able to create pieces that can evoke emotions, provoke thoughts, and provide solace.