Beehive Fireworks Primary Function: Ukukhanya Okusebenzisanayo by Ting Kai Chen

Beehive Fireworks Primary Function: Ukukhanya Okusebenzisanayo by Ting Kai Chen is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Ibhaso Lebhronzi le-A' Design Award in Uyilo lweeProjekthi zokuKhanyisa kunye noBugcisa bokuKhanya Competition Category.

IbhronziIiprojekthi zokuKhanyisa· 2026

Beehive Fireworks Primary Function: Ukukhanya Okusebenzisanayo

by Ting Kai Chen

Client: Tainan City Government

Ibhaso Lebhronzi le-A' Design Award Winner in Iiprojekthi zokuKhanyisa Category

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The Design

About Beehive Fireworks Primary Function: Ukukhanya Okusebenzisanayo

Book Text: Emini, ubume balo obu buvusa umbono wesikhephe sorhwebo soBukhosi baseQing sigqagqa emazeni, umzuzu ohle omile wamathontsi achithekayo agcina ubuqaqawuli obudala bezibuko. Njengoko ubusuku busondela, umsebenzi wobugcisa uguquka ube yiZiqhushumbisi zeNyosi ezindizela phezulu, usebenzisa ukudlala kokukhanya nethunzi ukuze uvakalise umthandazo ozolileyo. Eli qhekeza lisebenzisa ukubonakala kwamanzi ukwenza umbono olinganayo phezulu ophantsi weziqhushumbisi, ngelixa iimpompozo zendalo zamanzi ziphinda-phinda ngokwenene ukushukuma okungathambekiyo, okunqumlisanayo kweziqhushumbisi zomlilo.

The Recognition

About the Ibhaso Lebhronzi le-A' Design Award

Beehive Fireworks Primary Function: Ukukhanya Okusebenzisanayo ngumphumeleli weIbhaso Lebhronzi le-A' Design Award, ukuqatshelwa okuhlonitshwayo kakhulu okunikwa imiyilo ephawulekayo eyahlukaniswa kukuyila, ubukrelekrele nobukrelekrele. Abaphumeleleyo beBhronzi ziimveliso ezinobuchule obukhulu nezidala ngokumangalisayo ezingqina amava aphangaleleyo, ukucinga nokwazi ukuzenzela kwabayili bazo. Beehive Fireworks Primary Function: Ukukhanya Okusebenzisanayo iyathenjwa ukuba ibe yimpahla exatyiswa kakhulu, edunyiswayo nethandwayo enobungcali obuphawulekayo nezinto ezintsha. Lo myilo uphumeleleyo weIbhaso Lebhronzi le-A' Design Award ubandakanya iindlela ezilungileyo kakhulu kubugcisa, inzululwazi, uyilo kunye nobuchwephesha kwaye ugqwesile ngenxa yokunikela ingqalelo kwiinkcukacha. Beehive Fireworks Primary Function: Ukukhanya Okusebenzisanayo iyanelisa iimfuno ngokumangalisayo, ichukumisa iinqwenelo, ikhwebela iimvakalelo kwaye itsala umdla.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: The core of the installation utilizes real-time generative algorithms to produce lighting effects. Unlike traditional pre-rendered loops, the visuals are synthesized instantly to ensure a non-repetitive aesthetic, mimicking the unpredictable nature of live fireworks. By integrating audience spatial data, it creates a unique visual experience for every individual.
Dimensions & Packaging: Dimensions:
4,000 mm x 4,000 mm x 3,000 mm

Materials:
Black iron tubes
LED pixel strips
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) for buoyancy

Technical Properties:
Oak ai camera system for real-time sensing.
Computer-based controller for custom interaction logic.
Tags: Beehive Fireworks, Water Reflections, Generative Light, Taiwan Culture, Interactive Installation
Production Technology: The core of the installation utilizes a custom Unity-based engine to calculate lighting effects through generative algorithms in real-time. By leveraging an Oak-D AI camera to capture the spatial displacement of the audience, these movements are transformed into the computational soul of the algorithm. Through a DMX system, it provides independent control over 9,275 RGB LEDs, delivering exceptionally refined visual dynamics.

Key Technologies: Oak-D AI camera, Unity engine, Generative algorithms, Real-time motion tracking.
Design Challenge: The core challenge was floating engineering in outdoor waters, requiring precise buoyancy and gravity calculations. Additionally, high humidity in outdoor environments posed strict requirements for the sealing, heat dissipation, and operational stability of the electronic systems. The design's key innovation lies in harnessing water reflections as an integral part of the visual composition, turning them into an essential extended interface.
Research: As technology advances, many traditional cultures are gradually losing their connection with modern life. We aim to utilize digital methodologies to re-envision the "Beehive Fireworks" ritual, transforming its explosive energy into a serene experience. By integrating AI vision sensors and generative algorithms, the project translates human presence into intricate light dynamics, guiding viewers from passive observation to active participation to reawaken a profound sense of cultural identity.
Inspiration: The Beehive Fireworks is a unique ritual in Tainan, Taiwan, symbolizing purification. The concept transforms its fervor into a serene ritual. By day, the form captures the speed of historical trade, mimicking the splash of a merchant vessel. At night, the work uses water reflections to create the symmetrical top-down view of actual Beehive Fireworks. Through natural ripples, the design authentically recreates their erratic, crisscrossing dynamism.
Project Duration: The project was officially exhibited at the 2026 Yuejin Lantern Festival in Tainan, Taiwan.
Operation Flow: The installation senses the audience through shoreside cameras. By subtly translating their posture into the dynamic rhythm of beehive firecrackers, it recreates the temporal experience of the ritual. This mechanism turns presence into visual momentum, allowing engagement to define the ebb and flow of time and light.
Team Members: TING KAI CHEN
GUAN YU LIN
YA CHU TSAO
TZU CHI LIU
YU CHUN CHEN
CHONG HUI CHOON
CHIA HSIN CHIANG
Image Credits: Image #1: Photographer Ching Hung, Chu, Beehive Fireworks, 2026.
Image #2: Photographer Ching Hung, Chu, Beehive Fireworks, 2026.
Image #3: Photographer Ching Hung, Chu, Beehive Fireworks, 2026.
Image #4: Photographer Ching Hung, Chu, Beehive Fireworks, 2026.
Image #5: Photographer Ching Hung, Chu, Beehive Fireworks, 2026.

Video Credits: Creator Wonderful Spring Studio, Beehive Fireworks, 2026.