· EAST LAKE TAI PUBLIC ART COMPETITION ·

A DIALOGUE WITH NATURE

Nature – the most beautiful form of art. Instead of creating a man-made artwork or installation as a stand-alone piece, this landscape artwork is engaging people to interact with nature in creative ways. The beachfront landscape is turned into a park with three zones – Sky, Earth and Water, where people would enjoy a different experience with nature at each zone. Water is the origin of life and culture in Suzhou Wujiang district. The famous Lougang Pouder and Suzhou water garden are all originated from water. Here, the cultural symbol of flowing water is used in form creation of this artwork. The Chinese letter ‘chuan’ and ‘shui’, meaning flowing water, is used as the main structural framework of this landscape.

This artwork also illustrates the traditional Chinese philosophy of ‘man and nature as one unified whole’ and encourages living in harmony with nature rather than attempting to conquer nature. Similar to the character of flowing water, it could adapt to any physical environment where it is contained.

“You must be shapeless, formless, like water. When you pour water in a cup, it becomes the cup. When you pour water in a bottle, it becomes the bottle…Become like water my friend.”

– Bruce Lee.