Into the Woods and Co. - Cheng Tsung Feng · CLIENT: Hualien Branch, Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency
Nesting Plan VII Formosan Wild Boar is a public art installation placed in a forest park in Hualien, Taiwan. The work is inspired by the nesting behavior of the Formosan wild boar, an animal that builds shelters from hay and branches and rests with its snout facing the entrance to stay alert. The structure is made of Taiwan cedar and Makino bamboo, assembled with careful joinery and shaped through digital structural design. Visitors can enter the nest-like space and sit on a curved bench that faces the opening, which encourages contact with the surrounding forest.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Nesting Plan VII—Formosan Wild Boar is an artwork that reflects the unique ecological characteristics of Forest Park in Hualien. It honors the indigenous species of Formosan Wild Boar and explores its architectural abilities. The piece showcases boar's nesting instincts, such as using hay and branches to construct nests while keeping their snouts facing the entrance to remain alert. Additionally, the work integrates native wood and bamboo, harmonizing with the surrounding forest environment.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Width 7m x Depth 7m x Height 5m
- Tags
- Taiwan Cedar, Makino Bamboo, public art, multifunctional space, sustainable design, Indigenous culture, forest-inspired, biomimicry, outdoor installation, ecological architecture
- Production Technology
- This art installation utilizes digital computation and precise structural design to overcome the challenges associated with domestic bamboo and wood materials. The primary structure is built with Taiwan Cedar timber, complemented by Makino Bamboo, ensuring stability and aesthetic appeal through meticulous joinery techniques. Inspired by the nesting behavior of the Formosan Wild Boar, the installation features a C-shaped circular bench that naturally orients users toward the entrance, mirroring the animal’s instinctive alert posture. This design enhances the interaction between the environment and the artwork while promoting sustainable local materials.
- Design Challenge
- The challenge of this work was to overcome the traditional reluctance in Taiwan to use domestic materials like Taiwan Cedar and Makino Bamboo in art and architecture due to their perceived weaknesses—such as low yield, irregular knots, and inherent softness. Additionally, creating an art installation that mimics the nesting behavior of Formosan Wild Boars while ensuring structural safety and aesthetic appeal posed a significant challenge in balancing function, form, and sustainability.
- Project Duration
- The project commenced in June 2024 and was completed in September 2024. The unveiling ceremony for the artwork was held in the same month at Danongdafu Forest Park in Hualien, Taiwan.
- Operation Flow
- This installation serves as both an artistic structure and a functional gathering space. It provides a semi-enclosed resting area where visitors can sit on the curved bench, naturally facing the entrance, just as the Formosa Wild Boar remains alert in its habitat. Moreover, using Taiwanese local materials ensures harmony with the forest, while the design fosters interaction, inviting people to experience nature through sight, touch, and presence.
- Research
- We focused on the nesting skills of Formosan Wild Boars and explored how to translate their behaviors into artwork using local materials. Research involved field observation and material study, with data collected through close observation and expert interviews. Insights highlighted the potential of Taiwan Cedar and Makino Bamboo in promoting sustainability while aligning with nature. This work raises environmental awareness and showcases the intersection of ecology, sustainability, and design.
- Inspiration
- The boar's instinctive behavior—its nesting actions, processes, materials, techniques, and functions—inspires the design. We utilized human construction materials and methods to reinterpret these elements, creating large, nest-like installation artworks that people can enter. Additionally, this work demonstrates the potential of using domestic materials and addressing the associated challenges, which Taiwanese artists and architects often overlook for aesthetic and practical reasons.
- Image Credits
- Image #1-#5: FIXER Photographic Studio, Taiwan.
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