LOOKING FORWARD in the future. If past time is make of history, then future is going built by dreams. Due to the above statement, I think it is fundamental thing we make our preparation before the coming of 21st September 2012. What the hell use for those great dreams if the dreamers all are being buried under the deep water. Along the studio lessons, we learn a lot about the survival. According to video “AWAKENING AS ONE”, it said “is the love or fear held us together?” I found that it is far far difficult to answer it, but one thing can be sure is we all have different answer within our deep heart. In my opinion, sometimes it just like a cycle, an era destroyed and then a new era happen to be. In others word, it is called “REBORN” of the earth after the uncountable destructions. If the prophecy of Mayan finally come true, then I guess it is declaring the end of human era.
Human have the power to change the sad ending into happiness ending. As we already start our reconstruction of environment, reduce the rate of pollution prolong the earth from being supreme destruction, or else we might luckily find a planet to replace earth, and we all shall move there and abandon earth behind.
A monument is a type of structure either explicitly created to commemorate a person or important event or which has become important to a social group as a part of their remembrance of past events. (COPYRIGHT FROM WIKIPEDIA)
In my point of view, monument sometimes show the past glory of human community besides for commemorate purpose such as Taj Mahal, India, Eiffel Tower, Washington Monument, and etc.
I went to Jewish Cemetery in Penang. According to the guard of cemetery, there are more than 150 tombs. Some of the ancient tombstone craved on the Jewish words but some craved along English words.
Jewish Cemetery
Well, I found that there are a lot of the hexagram symbol which represents the “STAR OF DAVID” or “JEWISH STAR”. The use of Jewish star is unknown; some said it is for decorative.
The symbol as if the Menorah shows three stems on each side plus the central stem, totaling seven which is the symbol of Israel to be “a light unto the nation”. Likewise the Shield of David came to be understood as seven, with two triangles of three points each united around a central point.
The symbol shows by a pair of hand, I think it is similar to the Menorah figure, as one hand shows 3 stem, and the interception point between 2 wrists is the seventh stem, or the central point.
My own monument I adopt the idea of “Taiji”. Taiji is understood to be the highest conceivable principle, that from which existence flows. This is very similar to the Daoist idea "reversal is the movement of the Dao". The "supreme ultimate" creates yang and yin: movement generates yang; when its activity reaches its limit, it becomes tranquil. Through tranquility the supreme ultimate generates yin. When tranquility has reached its limit, there is a return to movement. Movement and tranquility, in alternation, become each the source of the other. The distinction between the yin and yang is determined and the two forms (that is, the yin and yang) stand revealed. By the transformations of the yang and the union of the yin, the 5 elements (Qi) of water, fire, wood, metal and earth are produced. These 5 Qi become diffused, which creates harmony. Once there is harmony the 4 seasons can occur. Yin and yang produced all things, and these in their turn produce and reproduce, this makes these processes never ending. (Wu, 1986) (copyright from wikipedia)
In my understanding of Taiji, Taiji is make up together by the yang(the bright part) and yin(the dark part), it teach me about the balance between the yin and yang to create a harmony circumstance. In short, Taiji means everything in the world, for instance: day is yang, then night is yin.
early stage of idea
From the sketches, there are two fish’s structures or structure shaped by liquid such as water connect to the rings in the middle. Yin and Yang represents everything, fish’s structure indicates creature and the nature, their existence is to balance up each other, no one shall conquer another or eliminate the other part. Back then, harmony and peaceful can be exist with the presence of equality. Well, hereby I would like to emphasize about the way of being sustainable, aesthetic propose not so important in my design because my main idea is to show the world the core and fundamental concept of Taiji.
front view of the entrance/extrance
side view
The bamboo arrange with a lot triangle shape in order to gain extra stability. This monument also act as a passage pathway or a building. Without the cover outside, it really provide 100 percent of ventilation, but insulation layer or coat can be added in order to protect from sunlight and rainwater. Entire structure use bamboo and steel connectors, concrete can be use as the foundation.
intention: show the concept of Taiji pre and pro 2012
act: sketching and finding the information
product: above sketches and explanation
