Nirvana Kinetic Sound Installation

The journey toward Nirvana began with my lifelong exposure to Buddhist rituals, where the wooden fish represents rhythm, meditation, and spiritual discipline. I was fascinated by how such a simple, repetitive sound could create a space of introspection. My struggle with the tension between tradition and modernity led me to explore whether a machine could maintain spiritual sincerity. I wanted to question if automation dilutes or preserves ritual significance. The result was a kinetic sound installation that isn't merely decorative but actively engages audiences in contemplating how technology mediates our most intimate spiritual practices. It emerged as both homage and critique—a meditation on our need to find meaning even in mechanized repetition.

The matrix formation was inspired partly by Buddhist temple halls where rows of monks chant in unison, creating a collective, immersive spiritual atmosphere. I wanted to translate that communal energy into a sculptural grid that viewers could physically navigate and contemplate. The grid also references the precision of technological systems—code, circuitry, urban grids—juxtaposed with the organic, hand-carved wooden fish. This regular arrangement emphasizes uniformity and discipline but also reveals subtle variations in tone and movement that speak to individual imperfection. I chose this format to invite viewers to see both order and chaos, exploring how collective spiritual practice is built on personal devotion while modern systems demand conformity. It becomes a meditation on how tradition and technology both organize human behavior into patterns that are at once comforting and oppressive.

Receiving the A' Design Award has opened new dialogues about the role of interactive art in exploring spirituality beyond static religious iconography. This recognition validates the idea that technology can be a legitimate medium for sacred exploration rather than a profane intrusion. It encourages me to push further into designing interactive experiences that respect cultural heritage while interrogating it. I envision this award as a platform to collaborate with cultural institutions, spiritual communities, and technologists to create installations that are not merely museum pieces but living rituals reimagined. It has also given me the confidence to prototype more ambitious works—possibly incorporating AI-driven responses, real-time audience participation, or cross-cultural spiritual symbols. Ultimately, I hope this recognition expands the definition of spiritual art to include hybrid, participatory, and technologically mediated experiences.