Rhythm Tlaixcuepalli: Ixiptlayotl Tlachihchiuhtli Papatlaca by Zhuoyun Xiao

Rhythm Tlaixcuepalli: Ixiptlayotl Tlachihchiuhtli Papatlaca by Zhuoyun Xiao is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Mahuizolli A' Design Award Tepoztli in Toltecayotl ihuan Toltecayotl Tlatlaliliztli Tlachihchihualiztli Competition Category.

TepoztliToltecayotl· 2025

Rhythm Tlaixcuepalli: Ixiptlayotl Tlachihchiuhtli Papatlaca

by Zhuoyun Xiao

Client: Zhuoyun Xiao

Mahuizolli A' Design Award Tepoztli Winner in Toltecayotl Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #170274

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Rhythm Tlaixcuepalli: Ixiptlayotl Tlachihchiuhtli Papatlaca

Amatlahcuilolli: Ahacatl (Rhythm) ye ce ixiptlayotl tlachihchiuhtli papatlaca in quicuepa nehnemiliztli ihuicatlaza ipan machiyotl catca ahmo yolqui. In papatlaca mochihua ica macuilli cuauhtlaxcalli capolcuahuitl ica inacayo 150, 200, 250, 300 ihuan 350 millimetlan, ihuan mochi cenquizca tlachihchiuhtli quipia inecuiliuhcayo 600 ica 800 ica 300 millimetlan. Tliltic, iztac ihuan chichiltic tlapalli quinextia in tlan mopatla. In cuahuitl motequi ica melahuac tlamatiliztli, moxima ica maitl ihuan mocencahua ica ahtlein tlein quicocoa. In nepapan inacayo ihuan in ontetl ihuictli quichihua ce nezcayotl ahacayotl. Tlachixque nehnemi inahuac in tlachihchiuhtli ic quitocazque in nehnemiliztli sequenciatl.

The Recognition

About the Mahuizolli A' Design Award Tepoztli

Rhythm Tlaixcuepalli: Ixiptlayotl Tlachihchiuhtli Papatlaca ca in quicuic in Mahuizolli A' Design Award Tepoztli, tlamahuizoliztli tlen momaca in cualli dizayno in quitlalia in tlen monequi ipan tequitl ihuan tlachihualiztli in quimaca in cualli tlachihualli. In quicuicah Tepoztli quinextia in hueyi tlamatiliztli, toltecayotl ihuan ihuelitiliztli intlachihuanime. Ca quinequi in Rhythm Tlaixcuepalli: Ixiptlayotl Tlachihchiuhtli Papatlaca ca tlazohtli, mahuiztic, yancuic ihuan motequiuhtia. Ni dizayno in quicuic Tepoztli quihuelitia in tlamatiliztli ihuan quipia chicahualiztli tlen tepoztli. Rhythm Tlaixcuepalli: Ixiptlayotl Tlachihchiuhtli Papatlaca quicualtia in nemiliztli ihuan quihuelitia in cemanahuac ica cualli.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: "Rhythm" transforms dance movements into five cherry wood sculptures. The series captures clown performance dynamics through exaggerated forms and strategic spatial arrangement. Using black, white, and red color accents, these varying-height sculptures (150-350mm) create visual cadence. The work translates abstract body movements into tangible forms, merging traditional performance art with contemporary visual expression.
Dimensions & Packaging: Set dimensions: 600mm×800mm×300mm (complete installation of five pieces)
Individual heights: 150mm, 200mm, 250mm, 300mm, 350mm
Material: Cherry wood
Color system: CMYK (C:0 M:0 Y:0 K:100, C:0 M:0 Y:0 K:0, C:0 M:100 Y:100 K:0)
Finish: Hand-polished surface with specialized wood treatments
Weight: Approximately 4.5kg for complete set
Installation configuration: Sequential arrangement with specified spacing (120mm between pieces)
Environmental standards: Non-toxic finishes, sustainable harvested wood.
Tags: Grotesque Aesthetics, Dance Visualization, Cherry Wood Installation, Rhythmic Form, Visual Movement, Clown Performance, Deconstructed Motion, Dynamic Sculpture, Spatial Sequence, Color Contrast
Production Technology: Cherry wood crafted through precision cutting and hand-finishing. Five distinct sculptural elements (150-350mm) form a complete set (600×800×300mm). Used deconstruction methodology to translate clown movements into static forms. CMYK color system (C:0 M:0 Y:0 K:100, C:0 M:0 Y:0 K:0, C:0 M:100 Y:100 K:0) applied through specialized wood treatment. Spatial arrangement creates visual rhythm through varying heights and geometric relationships.
Design Challenge: The primary challenge was translating dynamic clown movements into static wooden forms while preserving rhythmic essence. Historical perspectives on grotesque aesthetics required careful integration with contemporary design language. Social perspectives on clown performance interpretation varied widely, necessitating extensive research to identify universal movement patterns. Material limitations of cherry wood demanded precise calculations to achieve proper balance while maintaining visual fluidity across the five-piece sequence. Technical difficulties emerged in achieving gradual height transitions (150-350mm) that conveyed motion. The color scheme implementation required multiple prototypes to determine optimal placement of black and red accents against natural wood to emphasize transitional moments without overwhelming the subtle form language.
Research: The research explores grotesque aesthetics in dance movement visualization. It aims to decode rhythmic patterns in clown performances, translating them into visual language. Using deconstruction and reconstruction methods with digital media analysis of body movement trajectories, five cherry wood pieces of varying heights (150-350mm) were created with a black-white-red color scheme. The work dynamizes static elements through exaggerated forms, strong color contrasts, and dramatic arrangements that reinterpret traditional performance art. This research breaks visual language boundaries, demonstrates innovative fusion of traditional and modern art, and offers new approaches for public space art installations.
Inspiration: Inspired by the rhythmic movements in dance performances, particularly the exaggerated expressions of clowns. Research focused on transforming dynamic movement into static forms while preserving energetic qualities. The project explores the intersection of traditional performance art and contemporary sculpture, using wood as a medium to capture fluidity and tension in physical space.
Project Duration: The project "Rhythm" was created by Zhuoyun Xiao at Nanjing University of the Arts, China, between 2023 and 2024.
Operation Flow: Viewers circle the installation to discover how each piece captures a distinct dance moment. Varying heights create visual rhythm, guiding the eye through the sequence. Black and red accents mark transition points. The arrangement transforms static forms into perceived motion, engaging viewers in completing the dance sequence mentally. Spatial relationships between pieces amplify the dynamic quality of frozen movement.
Image Credits: Images#All: Designer and photographer Zhuoyun Xiao, Rhythm Installation View, 2024.