FunDesign.tv - Tomoko Nagao · CLIENT: FunDesign.tv
The Allegory is a permanent public art installation set into the central plaza of a sports park in Taipei. The design draws on Baroque and Rococo ceiling frescoes and joins them with symbols of baseball stadiums, consumer goods and entertainment. The composition measures 11.4 by 11.4 meters and includes 37 cast iron panels, 10 angel figures and 50 flower-shaped plates. Wooden molds are carved by machine, cast in metal by sand casting and then hand-filled with colored epoxy resin. Set flush with the floor, the four directions of the work guide people across the plaza.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- "The Allegory" of the Taipei Big Dome unfolds across multiple layers, drawing inspiration from the iconic ceiling fresco by Italian artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, whose Baroque legacy transcended into the early 17th century. Visually, the classic Rococo is intricately woven into the canvas. The fusion of Rococo aesthetics with symbols such as baseball stadiums, consumer goods, and entertainment forms a rich tapestry of diverse beliefs.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The composition comprises 37 panels forming the main dome fresco, 10 standalone angel figures, and 50 smaller flower-shaped cast iron plates. The dimensions measure 11.4 meters by 11.4 meters, occupying a total area of 129.96 square meters. The artwork is seamlessly embedded, flush with the existing floor, creating a harmonious integration with the surroundings.
- Tags
- tomoko, arte, Japan, Milano, fundesign, Taipei, Dome, Taiwan
- Production Technology
- The artwork is composed of a set of panels, each initially carved into a wooden mold through mechanical processes. Subsequently, the sand-casting technique is employed to create a molded metal version through metal pouring. After applying a rust-resistant primer, skilled artisans then meticulously hand-fill the concave surfaces of the panels with colored epoxy resin, resulting in exquisite, vibrant, and durable covers. To prevent rapid hardening of the epoxy resin pigments, only one color can be applied at a time during the process, and a dust-free environment must be maintained throughout.
- Design Challenge
- In the beginning, they explored the sports park's historical context, uncovering insights from archives. The sports park's origins date back to Taiwan's Japanese era when it functioned as a tobacco factory. The installation's site was previously a sports field for factory workers, featuring a baseball field. This historical background enriched the artwork with numerous baseball symbols, aligning with the park's current role of hosting world-class baseball games. Situated in a popular plaza, the installation's four directions are intentionally oriented, acting as functional guides for individuals moving toward their destinations.
- Project Duration
- The artwork successfully passed inspection on February 6, 2024, and is set to be publicly displayed this summer. As a permanent public art piece, it will stand as an iconic landmark coexisting with the Taipei Big Dome Sports Park, symbolizing a harmonious integration within the surroundings.
- Operation Flow
- The artwork employs a diverse palette, standing out in the predominantly gray-toned ambiance of the sports park. Amidst the overall grayscale setting, it swiftly captures attention with its vivid colors. The various baseball-themed details within the artwork actively resonate with the park's primary function of hosting baseball games. Stepping into the piece, individuals not only experience a visual spectacle of artistic style but also gain a deeper understanding of this public art as an interpretive element within the sports park.
- Research
- Manholes, originating in Japan in the 1950s as standard features weighing approximately 80 pounds, have evolved beyond their utilitarian roots. Since the 1980s, a creative transformation has taken place, with many covers featuring artistic designs that depict the unique scenery and native flora of each town. Recognizing the potential to turn this functional element into a form of urban art, we leverage the durability and visual appeal of these covers. Our innovative approach involves crafting them into captivating landscape art installations, seamlessly integrating them into the bustling squares where people predominantly traverse. This enhances the aesthetic appeal of public spaces and showcases the fusion of utility and artistry in urban design.
- Inspiration
- As the central plaza within the commercial architectural ensemble of Taipei Big Dome Sports Park, this public art installation not only bears the responsibility of artistic expression but also embodies the functional aspect of guiding people in their directions. The artist's uniquely flattened painting style is seamlessly integrated into the molded cast iron flooring of the plaza, with detailed coloring applied using epoxy resin, laid across the walkways.
- Image Credits
- FunDesign.tv
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