Constructing The Intangible Tlapohualtlamatlapohualiztli tlanemililiztli by Yuanying He

Constructing The Intangible Tlapohualtlamatlapohualiztli tlanemililiztli by Yuanying He is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Mahuizolli A' Design Award Tepoztli in Tlacuilolli, Tlacuilolixiptlaliztli ihuan Tlachialtlanonotzaliztli Tlachihchihualiztli Competition Category.

TepoztliTlacuilolli· 2026

Constructing The Intangible Tlapohualtlamatlapohualiztli tlanemililiztli

by Yuanying He

Client: K3ntiv3

Mahuizolli A' Design Award Tepoztli Winner in Tlacuilolli Category

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Verified Award Winner

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Colors

The Design

About Constructing The Intangible Tlapohualtlamatlapohualiztli tlanemililiztli

Quitzacua in Amo Mottani quitlatemoa in tlalnamiquiliztli ken se tlamantli tlachichihualiztli amo ken tlapieliztli. Moyolloti ica in axcan ahquic ihyaca in xochitl pomelo in piltontli tonalli, in tlachihualiztli quitequiuhtia tlachichihualiztli tlamantin ken cuauhtemecatl, tlanepanolli, ihuan amo cualli motecpana tlamamatlatl inic quitta in tlatzonquixtiliztli tlalnamiquiliztli. In tlalnamiquiliztli mottani ken se cuauhcuihuani tlachihualiztli inic monechicoa in tlacotontli in yeppa onmochiuh inic quichihua in axcan tlein tehuatl. Itech se tlatlamachhuilli tlachichihualiztli tlahtolli, in tlachihualiztli quicuepa se amo mottani machiliztli neltiliztli ipan se mottani tlapanahuiltic tlalticpactli.

The Recognition

About the Mahuizolli A' Design Award Tepoztli

Constructing The Intangible Tlapohualtlamatlapohualiztli tlanemililiztli 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 Constructing The Intangible Tlapohualtlamatlapohualiztli tlanemililiztli ca tlazohtli, mahuiztic, yancuic ihuan motequiuhtia. Ni dizayno in quicuic Tepoztli quihuelitia in tlamatiliztli ihuan quipia chicahualiztli tlen tepoztli. Constructing The Intangible Tlapohualtlamatlapohualiztli tlanemililiztli 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: Constructing the Intangible explores the architecture of memory. This artwork examines how sensory fragments, specifically the ephemeral scent of the past, are reorganized. Memory is presented not as static preservation, but as an active secondary rendering shaped by narrative coherence. Utilizing a structural language bridging nature and architecture, the design transforms intangible sensory experiences into visible forms. Past fragments serve as scaffolding to support selfhood.
Dimensions & Packaging: High-resolution digital artwork.
Dimensions: 3600 x 3600 pixels.
Color space: RGB.
Format: Digital illustration suitable for print and screen display.
Tags: memory reconstruction, olfactory memory, architectural metaphor, narrative identity, secondary construction, spatial abstraction, sensory memory, autobiographical memory
Production Technology: The artwork was created using digital illustration techniques. A structured grid-based composition system was applied to organize spatial elements. Layered vector and raster rendering methods were combined to achieve depth and architectural precision. The visual system references drafting language and construction schematics to reinforce the conceptual framework.
Design Challenge: The primary challenge was translating an invisible and ephemeral sensory experience into a coherent spatial structure. The work avoids literal representation of scent and instead constructs a layered architectural system to express memory reconstruction. Balancing structural precision with emotional ambiguity required careful control of composition, grid systems, and visual hierarchy.
Research: This project explores autobiographical memory reconstruction through visual metaphor. Drawing from narrative identity theory and cognitive psychology, it investigates how memory is not a fixed recording but an active reconstruction shaped by perception and storytelling. Olfactory memory, particularly childhood scent associations, serves as an anchoring mechanism to translate intangible sensory recall into spatial and architectural language.
Inspiration: The inspiration originated from a simple observation: describing a dream after waking is already an act of secondary representation and reconstruction. The cool scent of pomelo blossoms from childhood serves as a sensory anchor. This fleeting memory is deconstructed into an orderly “construction site”. Cranes, grids, and misaligned staircases symbolize the subtle imperfections and ongoing rebuilding inherent in human recollection.
Project Duration: The project was conceptualized and completed in February 2026 in Shenzhen, China.
Operation Flow: The viewer engages with the artwork through visual navigation. Misaligned staircases, cranes, and grid structures guide the eye toward a central focal point, mirroring the cognitive process of memory reconstruction. The interaction is interpretive rather than functional, inviting reflection rather than instruction.
Patents: This project is an original conceptual artwork created by the artist. It is not associated with any registered patents or trademarks. All intellectual property rights belong solely to the artist.
Image Credits: All visual elements, illustrations, and conceptual content in this project are original works created solely by the artist. No third-party materials, stock images, templates, or external visual assets were used in the creation of this work.