Skip to content
Emotion Protocol Кінетычная інсталяцыя by Zhenglong Yang

Emotion Protocol Кінетычная інсталяцыя by Zhenglong Yang is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Жалезная прэмія A' Design Award in Дызайн інсталяцый Competition Category.


ЖалезаІнсталяцыя· 2025

Emotion Protocol Кінетычная інсталяцыя

by Zhenglong Yang

Жалезная прэмія A' Design Award Winner in Інсталяцыя Category

Colors

The Design

About Emotion Protocol Кінетычная інсталяцыя

Emotion Protocol - гэта кінетычная інсталяцыя, якая складаецца з некалькіх чатырохтварых галоў Буды, замацаваных на механізмах вярчэння. Кожная галава, натхнёная традыцыйнай будыйскай скульптурай, абсталявана маторам, які дозваляе ёй вярцецца па запраграмаванай схеме. Сінхранізаваны рух галоў стварае дынамічную візуальную дэманстрацыю, падкрэсліваючы кантраст паміж традыцыйнымі формамі і сучаснай механікай.

The Recognition

About the Жалезная прэмія A' Design Award

Emotion Protocol Кінетычная інсталяцыя — пераможца Жалезнай прэміі A' Design Award, прэстыжнага прызнання, якое прысуджаецца добрым дызайнам, што адпавядаюць прафесійным і прамысловым патрабаванням, чаканым ад добра распрацаваных твораў. Жалезныя пераможцы дэманструюць вялікае майстэрства, высокую спецыялізацыю, экспертнае разуменне і творчыя здольнасці сваіх стваральнікаў. Чакаецца, што Emotion Protocol Кінетычная інсталяцыя — гэта высока цэнены, захапляльны і любімы твор, практычны і інавацыйны. Гэты дызайн, што атрымаў Жалезную прэмію A' Design Award, інтэгруе лепшыя галіновыя практыкі і мае кампетэнтныя тэхнічныя характарыстыкі, звязаныя з ноу-хау і талентам. Emotion Protocol Кінетычная інсталяцыя паважаецца за грунтоўнасць і прызначаны даваць паляпшэнні якасці жыцця, што дапамагаюць зрабіць свет лепшым месцам.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties
"Emotion Protocol" juxtaposes human nature's emotional complexity with the rigid, machine-like existence imposed by societal and familial expectations. The installation represents this contrast through rotating four-faced Buddha statues driven by a mechanical system.
Dimensions & Packaging
457.2(W), 457.2(D), 1100(H) cm
Tags
Kinetic, Installation, Buddhism, Four-face Buddha, Emotion
Production Technology
This project features 3D-printed Buddha heads crafted in resin, CNC-milled acrylic pedestals for elegant structural support, and a customized PCB(printed circuit board) for precise control of stepper motors. The algorithm, programmed and integrated into the control system, orchestrates the kinetic movements, embodying emotional narratives. Leveraging physical computing, the design merges technology and artistry, ensuring a seamless integration of hardware and conceptual intent.
Design Challenge
The biggest challenge was balancing the symbolic depth of the four-faced Buddha with the mechanical precision of the installation. Integrating spiritual iconography into a technological framework required extensive research into cultural narratives and emotional theory. Technical hurdles included designing custom PCBs and achieving seamless motor synchronization for dynamic storytelling. Limited resources for advanced fabrication and algorithm testing added complexity, pushing innovation in blending tradition with modern design methodologies.
Research
The four-faced Buddha symbolizes the interconnectedness of human emotions—joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness. In this work, the rotating faces represent shifting emotional states, blending ancient philosophies with modern discussions on emotional suppression, societal expectations, and mechanized behavior. This reinterpretation highlights the universality of emotions, encouraging viewers to reflect on their own emotional landscapes.
Inspiration
Inspired by the Chinese saying "joy, anger, sadness, happiness," which poetically represents human emotions, and the Buddhist four-faced Buddha statues, this piece fuses traditional symbolism with programmed mechanisms. It reflects the tension between humanity's rich emotional landscape and the societal pressures, particularly in East Asian cultures, to suppress and eliminate subjective emotions. This conflict pushes individuals into a mechanized existence, where they become tiny parts of a vast collective machine, bound by rules and protocols to meet the expectations of family and society.
Project Duration
The project started in September 2024 in New York and finished in December 2024 in New York, and was exhibited in RacketNYC in December 2024.
Operation Flow
This project invites viewers to observe rotating Buddha heads, each with four faces representing different emotions. The heads rotate in pre-programmed patterns, symbolizing shifting emotional states. The interaction is passive yet thought-provoking, viewers reflect on the emotions represented. The synchronized motion creates a mesmerizing flow, highlighting the tension between human feelings and mechanical precision, making it uniquely engaging and impactful.
Image Credits
Photo credits: Audrey Chou

Sponsored

Explore Beyond Designers.org

Discover products, services and opportunities from our advertising partners.

Good Design Deserves Great Recognition

The A' Design Award is an international, juried accolade for good design. Take part in the A' Design Award to get an opportunity to earn meritocratic recognition, gain fame, prestige and publicity for your work. Nominate your work for the A' Design Award and compete for the coveted A' Design Prize.

Nominate