Evolution Public Art

Lai Jiebin

Interview about Evolution Public Art, winner of the A' Fine Arts and Art Installation Design Award 2023

About the Project

The design language of the sculpture is peaceful, with both the simplicity of the straight line and the unique softness and movement of the curve itself. It represents the dynamic and continuous nature of the thinking, contains everything, and has no boundary between space and time, just like the universe; The line does not fill the whole surface, and the space left in the middle is like a door left behind. The door is also not round, and there are increases and decreases, creating evolution.

Design Details
  • Designer:
    Lai Jiebin
  • Design Name:
    Evolution Public Art
  • Award Category:
    A' Fine Arts and Art Installation Design Award
  • Award Year:
    2023
  • Last Updated:
    November 8, 2024
Learn More About This Design

View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.

View Design Details
Your innovative approach to representing the concept of entropy through Evolution Public Art's striking steel composition is remarkable - could you elaborate on how Brian Greene's work influenced your artistic interpretation of universal evolution?

In my works, I attempt to metaphorically depict the evolution of all things in the universe through the form and spatial relationship of steel structures. The hardness and coldness of steel, combined with the phenomenon of entropy increase in the universe, symbolize the inevitable chaos and disorder in nature. However, through carefully designed curves and empty spaces, I injected elements of inverse entropy into my work, namely the vitality of life and the dynamic continuity of thinking. These curves and gaps, like the "gates of evolution" described by Brian Green, exist both in the universe and in human thinking, representing infinite possibilities and hope for the future.Brian Green's work 'Until the End of Time' provides me with a fresh perspective to examine the relationship between the evolution of the universe and artistic expression. Through his works, I have gained a deeper understanding of the intrinsic connection between the universe, life, and consciousness, as well as their evolutionary process in the interweaving of entropy increase and inverse entropy. This understanding not only enriches my creative inspiration, but also enables me to present this magnificent and complex cosmic phenomenon more profoundly through artistic means.

The interplay between straight lines and curves in Evolution Public Art creates a powerful metaphor for the boundaries between space and time - what inspired your decision to leave the central space open like a door, and how does this reflect your vision of evolution?

The evolution of all things in the universe, whether it is the macroscopic operation of galaxies or the microscopic interaction of particles, follows an intertwined process of inverse entropy and entropy increase. In this process, information serves as the main thread, leading all changes and developments. I deeply feel that this evolution process is both mysterious and magnificent, as if it is a door that exists in human thinking. Through this door, we can glimpse the mysteries of life and the true meaning of the universe.In addition, the opening of this door also symbolizes the openness and inclusiveness of human thinking. I believe that evolution exists not only in the universe, but also in human thinking. Our thinking, like this door, needs to remain open and inclusive at all times in order to constantly accept new knowledge and ideas, and promote the progress and development of human society. Therefore, making the central space open like a door is a profound understanding and artistic expression of my evolution process. I hope that through this work, it can stimulate the audience's thinking about the universe, life, and evolution, and inspire their courage and enthusiasm to explore the unknown world.

Evolution Public Art's impressive scale at 15 meters length presents unique engineering challenges - could you share the specific technical innovations you developed to ensure structural integrity while maintaining the fluid aesthetic of your design?

Firstly, in terms of material selection, I chose steel as the main material. Steel not only has high strength and toughness, can withstand huge loads, but also is easy to process and weld, which can meet my needs for curved shapes and void design. Through precise steel cutting and welding techniques, I ensured that all parts of the sculpture could be tightly connected together, forming a stable and sturdy whole.Secondly, in terms of structural design, I adopted a modular assembly method. Decompose the entire sculpture into multiple relatively independent modules, each designed and processed separately. This method not only reduces the difficulty of processing and installation, but also helps improve the accuracy and consistency of sculptures. During the assembly process, I used precise measurement and positioning techniques to ensure that each module could be accurately installed in the predetermined position, thereby achieving the integrity and stability of the overall structure.In addition, I also employed advanced computer simulation techniques to optimize the form and structure of the sculpture. Through computer simulation, I can conduct detailed analysis and prediction of the stress situation of sculptures, in order to identify potential structural problems and make improvements. This method not only improves the safety of sculptures, but also helps me better understand the relationship between the form and structure of sculptures, providing strong support for subsequent processing and installation.

The peaceful design language of Evolution Public Art seems to transcend cultural boundaries - how did you approach the challenge of creating public art that could communicate universal concepts while remaining accessible to diverse audiences?

In order to attract different audiences, I focus on the interactivity and interpretability of my works. By designing open forms and blank spaces, I encourage the audience to participate in the interpretation of the work and give it new meaning based on their own experience and imagination. This interactivity not only enhances the audience's sense of participation, but also allows the work to reach a wider audience of different backgrounds and cultures.

Your Bronze A' Design Award-winning Evolution Public Art masterfully integrates scientific concepts with artistic expression - could you walk us through your creative process of translating complex theoretical physics into visual metaphors?

Firstly, I delved into Brian Greene's book 'Until the End of Time', particularly its discourse on how the universe, life, and consciousness emerged through the interweaving of evolution and entropy. These concepts of theoretical physics are both a challenge and a source of inspiration for me. I am trying to understand the core ideas behind these complex theories, especially how they reveal the essence of the evolution of all things in the universe.Next, I started thinking about how to transform these abstract theories into concrete visual images. I realized that the evolution of all things in the universe is itself an information technology system, like a door that leads us to explore the mysteries of life. This metaphor became the core metaphor of my creation. I have decided to use "The Gate of Evolution" as the theme of my work and present this metaphor through visual art.In the design process, I chose curves as the main design language. Curves not only have the simplicity of straight lines, but also blend softness and motion, which can well express the dynamic continuity of thinking and the inclusiveness of all things. I have constructed a sculptural form that is both visually impactful and symbolically meaningful through the interweaving and variation of curves. This form not only represents the infinite vastness and dynamic changes of the universe, but also metaphorically represents the profound insights into life and evolution in human thinking.At the same time, I left a blank space in the sculpture, forming a non-circular "door of evolution". This design not only increases the sense of hierarchy and space in the work, but also implies the uncertainty and futurism of evolution. The design of the door, with its ability to increase and decrease, and to foster evolution, is an intuitive expression of the natural selection force behind the gradual evolution of living systems.

Evolution Public Art has become a popular destination for photographers and tourists - how does public interaction with the sculpture align with or perhaps exceed your original vision for the piece's role in the urban landscape?

The sculpture of 'Evolution' that I envision is designed to spark public curiosity and exploration through its unique form and language. The blank 'Gate of Evolution' invites the public into a space of thought and imagination, exploring the mysteries of life and the universe. Allow people to pause in front of the sculpture, some gazing at its form, attempting to decipher the mysteries of the universe from it; Some have passed through the "door of evolution", as if experiencing firsthand the process of evolution from chaos to order. Some people choose to take photos next to sculptures or share their insights with family and friends.

The forged steel construction of Evolution Public Art creates a striking contrast between industrial materials and organic forms - what led you to choose this medium to express your ideas about universal evolution and consciousness?

Firstly, forged steel structures have strong symbolic significance. Steel, as an industrial material, represents the progress of human civilization and the development of technology. It forms an interesting contrast and connection with the theme of cosmic evolution. The evolution of the universe is a long and complex process, and steel is a product of human intelligence and labor. This comparison shows me the possibility of combining the two. Through the medium of steel, I can combine the grand narrative of cosmic evolution with the micro perspective of human civilization, exploring the profound connections between life, consciousness, and the universe.Secondly, the shape shaping ability of forged steel structures is very strong. The rigidity and plasticity of steel enable it to exhibit various complex forms and details. In addition, forged steel structures also have good durability and corrosion resistance. This means that my works can be preserved in outdoor environments for a long time and withstand the test of time. This is crucial for public art, as it requires long-term interaction and communication with the audience.

Evolution Public Art's completion in November 2022 marked a significant achievement - how did your understanding of the relationship between entropy and evolution evolve throughout the project's development?

As the project progressed, I further realized that the relationship between entropy and evolution can be understood from a broader perspective. The universe itself is a large information technology system that constantly performs calculations and manufacturing, creating various complex structures and phenomena. In this process, entropy and evolution are like two interacting forces, jointly driving the evolution of the universe. The principle of entropy increase provides the driving force and direction for the evolution of the universe, while the process of evolution continuously creates new ordered structures and functions through the transmission and processing of information, providing possibilities for the diversity and complexity of the universe.

The door-like void within Evolution Public Art seems to invite contemplation about human consciousness - could you elaborate on how this architectural element serves as a metaphor for intellectual and spiritual evolution?

Firstly, from a morphological perspective, the door shaped blank creates a void area in the solid form of the sculpture. It is not complete or perfectly circular, but presents a constantly changing state of increase and decrease. This form itself implies the essence of evolution - a process of continuous adaptation and optimization. Just as human intelligence and spirit have constantly faced challenges and learned throughout the long course of history, they have achieved leaps from simplicity to complexity and from low to high.Secondly, the "door of evolution" symbolized by the gate shaped blank exists both in the universe and in human thinking. It represents our desire and exploration of the unknown world, serving as a bridge connecting reality and ideals, finite and infinite. Just as humans constantly expand the boundaries of cognition through the development of intelligence, attempting to unravel the mysteries of the universe and find the true meaning of life. This spirit of exploration is an important driving force for the evolution of human intelligence and spirit.Finally, the door shaped blank, as an important element in sculpture, also reflects the deep integration of art and science. It expresses the inherent connections between complex concepts such as the universe, life, and consciousness in a poetic way, guiding the audience to reflect on human intelligence and spiritual evolution while appreciating art. This kind of thinking not only helps us better understand ourselves, but also inspires us to explore and imagine the future.

As Evolution Public Art continues to engage with its surroundings, how do you envision this installation contributing to the broader dialogue about the intersection of science, art, and public spaces in contemporary society?

Firstly, from a scientific perspective, the concepts of inverse entropy and entropy increase contained in "Evolution", as well as the viewpoint that everything in the universe evolves around the information mainline, are profound interpretations of modern scientific theories. This work can serve as a starting point to guide the public towards a deeper understanding of the mysteries of the universe, the origin of life, and the essence of information technology. Through the form of art, scientific theories can be vividly presented, thereby stimulating people's enthusiasm and curiosity for scientific exploration.Secondly, in the field of art, the design concept and expression form of "Evolution" reflect the deep integration of art and science. The work cleverly conveys the dynamic process of evolution and the infinite possibilities of thinking through flat curves and blank door shaped elements. This artistic technique not only enriches the language of artistic creation, but also provides new creative inspiration and ideas for artists. Through this work, artists can explore the intersection of science and art more freely, creating more art works with depth and breadth.Finally, in terms of public space, "Evolution" as a large-scale public art installation will become a beautiful landscape in urban space. It not only beautifies the urban environment, but more importantly, provides a platform for citizens to think and communicate. People can stop in front of works to appreciate and contemplate the significance of evolution, the future of humanity, and the relationship between art and science. This kind of interaction and dialogue will help enhance the cultural literacy and aesthetic awareness of citizens, while also injecting new vitality into the cultural construction of the city.

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