Iron Fine Arts and Art Installation Design · 2023
Soar Sculpture Installation
by Jung-Mei Wou
- A' Design Award 2023 Iron Winner in Fine Arts and Art Installation Design
- Awarded April 15, 2023
- CLIENT: JMW Art Studio
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 13,541
- Verification code 995D15472E · Verify this award
About Soar Sculpture Installation
A garden is a mysterious place that heals the human spirit. This sculpture attempts to capture the sensory experience of the journey into the garden, presenting the bird's instantaneous soaring in the air, the sense of speed in flight, and a constantly changing state to evoke the symbol of freedom in the human soul. This sculpture attempts to capture the sensory experience of the garden.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This sculpture attempts to capture the sensory experience of the garden. Rather than imitating the singular appearance of natural creatures, this sculpture recreates the dynamic form of flying birds, the sense of speed in flight, the unpredictable changes from different perspectives, and a constantly changing state. The unique form, which challenges the lightness and graceful curvature of metal sculpture, is realised in this work.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Sculpture Dimension: 1280mmx1650mmx1680mm
Material: Stainless Steel.
The prototype of the sculpture Dimension: 480mmx610mmx620mm
Material: Stainless Steel - Tags
- Sculpture, Public Art, Contemporary Art, Installation Art, Soar
- Production Technology
- This work is made of forged stainless steel. The inside of the sculpture uses a grid-shaped stainless steel skeleton as the structure, and the surface is made of stainless steel thin plate split forging, knocking, and welding to make the sculpture lightweight. The entire sculpture uses only a small area as a support point, and the centre of gravity is shifted to create a dynamic feeling of flying. The exquisitely shaped design allows it to be stable under weight.
- Design Challenge
- The challenge of this sculpture is to present a state of floating lightness. This sculpture presents a flying dynamic form with a shifted centre of gravity and a particular balance that challenges the balance of structural mechanics. The lightness and graceful curvature of metal sculptures are realised in this work.
- Project Duration
- The prototype of the sculpture was exhibited at the Taipei World Trade Center Art Fair in April 2016, and the large-scale sculpture was finished in 2022.
- Operation Flow
- The surface of this sculpture is mirror polished to reflect the surrounding sky, creating a floating and light visual effect. It attracts and encourages viewers to discover from all angles and distances. The perfectly curved surface lines reshape the momentum and stability of flight, revealing the mutual combination of aesthetic feeling and structural mechanics.
- Research
- The wind load influences the shape of the sculpture and the surface optimisation method. Aerodynamic shape optimisation has helped to achieve the optimum design for a sculpture while reducing the wind load.
- Inspiration
- Everyone has a healing soul Garden of Eden in their heart. This sculpture attempts to evoke the code of freedom in the human spirit by depicting the instantaneous soaring of the bird, the sense of speed in flight and the constant change.
- Image Credits
- Copyrights belong to Jung-mei Wou
Colors of Soar Sculpture Installation
Design Interview about Soar Sculpture Installation
The inspiration behind "Soar" is the concept of a healing soul's Garden of Eden within everyone's heart. It aims to evoke the code of freedom in the human spirit by depicting the instantaneous soaring of a bird, the sense of speed in flight, and constant change.
The main focus was to recreate the dynamic form of flying birds, the sense of speed, and the constantly changing nature of flight, challenging the lightness and graceful curvature of metal sculpture.
Future plans for this design might involve further exhibitions and potentially offering it for purchase or display.
The prototype was exhibited in 2016, but the large-scale sculpture was finished in 2022, so it took several years for the concept to be realized.
This design was not commissioned; it was a pursuit of artistic inspiration rooted in the symbolism of freedom and the healing qualities of a garden.
The design is not being mass-produced but could be made available for exhibition and art installations or available for purchase.
The design aimed to convey the sensory experience of a garden, capturing the soaring of birds and the concept of freedom.
The design draws its primary inspiration from nature and is an original creation by the artist.
The target customers would likely be art collectors, galleries, or art enthusiasts.
What sets this design apart is its focus on the sensory experience of flight and freedom, challenging traditional metal sculpture conventions.
The name "Soar" reflects the instantaneous soaring depicted in the sculpture, symbolizing freedom and the healing power of a garden.
Design tools may have included 3D modeling software for visualization and possibly aerodynamic analysis tools.
The most unique aspect of this design is its challenging portrayal of flight dynamics and lightness in metal sculpture.
This artwork is an original design created by me. It involved collaboration with skilled metal craftsmen for the construction of the large sculpture.
Technology plays a role in the design by potentially using aerodynamic shape optimization to achieve the desired aesthetics while considering wind load.
The design may have been influenced by aerodynamic research and shape optimization to reduce wind load.
The main challenge was achieving the appearance of floating lightness in the sculpture while dealing with shifted centers of gravity and maintaining structural balance.
The decision to submit to an international design competition aimed to gain recognition and exposure for the artwork.
The design process involved gaining a deeper understanding of structural mechanics and artistic expression.
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.
Grand Interview about Soar Sculpture Installation
Achieving the floating lightness in Soar was an intricate process that demanded a balance between artistic ambition and engineering precision. A major challenge was designing the sculpture to convey motion and levity visually, while ensuring its structural stability. The unique form, with its deliberately shifted center of gravity, required extensive experimentation with structural mechanics. The internal stainless steel framework was meticulously engineered to distribute weight evenly, while supporting the forged outer layers. Each curve and angle was refined to sustain a sense of dynamic flow, evoking the graceful movement of a bird in flight. Lightweight materials and precision welding techniques were crucial to minimizing bulk and maintaining stability, all while achieving the sculpture’s ethereal and fluid aesthetic.
The mirror-polished surface was inspired by the transformative nature of freedom and the interplay between self and environment. By reflecting the sky and surroundings, the sculpture becomes a seamless part of its environment, continuously evolving with changes in light, weather, and time of day. This reflective quality symbolizes the fluidity of the human spirit, evoking a profound sense of connection. It also invites viewers to see themselves and their environment within the artwork, fostering a deeply personal interaction. This reflection serves as a metaphor for spiritual healing—a reminder that freedom and inner peace originate from within but are influenced by external forces. The surface’s ability to capture and transform light enhances the sculpture’s uplifting quality, reinforcing its themes of transcendence and harmony.
Wind load considerations were pivotal in shaping Soar’s design, as the open and airy form had to withstand significant environmental forces. The minimal support point posed a unique challenge, requiring optimal stress distribution across the sculpture. Research into structural mechanics and wind resistance informed the precise curvature and angles of the design, ensuring the sculpture could endure external pressures without compromising its visual lightness. The internal grid structure provides stability, while the smooth, external curves efficiently channel airflow to reduce wind resistance. These insights allowed for a harmonious balance between aesthetic appeal and structural resilience, capturing both the physical dynamics of flight and the metaphorical balance of freedom.
The evolution of Soar was a journey of refinement and adaptation. The original prototype exhibited in 2016, served as a conceptual exploration of flight’s essence on a smaller scale. Scaling up to 1280mm introduced challenges in preserving the visual delicacy of the design while addressing structural demands. The larger scale necessitated a rethinking of proportions, ensuring that the curves retained their elegance without appearing heavy. Additionally, the amplified size enhanced the sculpture’s reflective interactions with its environment, making the mirrored surface more impactful. This transition deepened my understanding of how scale affects perception—what feels intimate at a smaller size becomes monumental and immersive when expanded. The process reinforced the need to balance artistic vision with technical feasibility, ultimately elevating the sculpture’s emotional resonance.
Soar was designed to offer a dynamic visual and emotional experience, mirroring the fluidity of flight and the serenity of a garden. From different angles, the sculpture reveals new forms and interpretations. Head-on, its sweeping curves evoke momentum and energy, while a side view emphasizes grace and equilibrium. The mirrored surface amplifies this variability, reflecting unique fragments of the environment and creating an interplay of light and shadow that shifts throughout the day. This evolving perspective invites active engagement, allowing viewers to discover new meanings and sensations each time. The emotional depth is further enriched by the symbolism of the Garden of Eden, offering a universal narrative of healing and freedom while inviting personal connections to the sculpture.
The shifted center of gravity in Soar was essential to its design, reinforcing the visual metaphor of a bird in mid-flight. Achieving this required precise calculations and iterative testing. The internal grid structure was meticulously engineered to counterbalance the sculpture’s asymmetry, ensuring stability despite its dynamic, off-center form. Collaborating closely with metal craftsmen, we fine-tuned the weight distribution to align perfectly with the support point. This process involved continuous adjustments and physical modeling to refine the equilibrium between strength and elegance. The result is a sculpture that not only captures the motion of soaring but also demonstrates the seamless integration of artistic freedom and structural ingenuity.
Winning the A' Design Award for Soar has been a profound affirmation of my artistic vision, inspiring me to further explore the intersection of nature and contemporary sculpture. It underscores the importance of creating works that resonate with universal themes like freedom, transformation, and harmony. Looking ahead, I plan to deepen my exploration of dynamic forms and reflective surfaces, incorporating new materials and technologies to expand the possibilities of public art. This recognition also encourages collaboration with communities and institutions to create site-specific installations that engage audiences on both personal and collective levels. Ultimately, it motivates me to craft sculptures that evoke emotion while addressing broader environmental and philosophical narratives.
The internal grid-shaped skeleton serves as the unseen backbone of Soar, enabling its daring form while maintaining stability. Structurally, the grid distributes weight evenly and provides a secure foundation for the forged stainless steel surface. This framework also complements the sculpture’s artistic expression, symbolizing the interplay between freedom and restraint. Just as a bird’s flight is guided by unseen forces like wind and gravity, the internal grid represents the structural underpinnings that allow freedom to flourish. The precision of this framework ensures that the sculpture maintains its shifted center of gravity and minimal support point, reinforcing the contrast between its solid construction and the ethereal lightness it conveys.
Soar acts as a bridge between personal introspection and communal experience, embodying the concept of a "healing soul Garden of Eden." By reflecting its surroundings and inviting exploration from multiple angles, the sculpture fosters a sense of unity between individuals and their environment. The mirrored surface encourages self-reflection, allowing viewers to see themselves within the artwork, while the dynamic form evokes the universal yearning for freedom and transcendence. In public spaces, the sculpture transforms its setting into a place for quiet contemplation and shared wonder, connecting personal spirituality with the collective human experience.
Fabricating Soar required overcoming significant challenges to achieve its lightweight yet structurally sound design. The split forging process demanded exceptional precision to shape the stainless steel plates into smooth, curved forms without compromising strength. Welding these sections seamlessly was equally complex, as even minor imperfections could disrupt the sculpture’s visual continuity and structural integrity. Collaborating closely with skilled craftsmen, we developed innovative techniques to address these demands while maintaining the sculpture’s elegance. These challenges reaffirmed my dedication to pushing the boundaries of metal sculpture, shaping my artistic decisions to prioritize both beauty and resilience in the final work.