YI+MU Design Office has recently unveiled a mesmerizing installation called “The Flower of Tujia” at the China Tujia Brocade Art Museum, located in Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province. This immersive artwork invites visitors to delve into the rich heritage of Tujia brocade, a traditional handicraft that has recently been recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage after centuries of silence.
Spanning an impressive 8 meters wide, 13 meters tall, and 8 meters deep, this monumental structure is composed of 150,000 meters of vibrant red brocade threads, transforming the central space of the museum into a captivating blossoming flower that transcends time and space.
The design of the installation ingeniously captures the essence of Tujia brocade, expanding its intricate single-sided pattern into a symbolic three-dimensional representation. It comprises 20 steel bars forming a frame, meticulously adorned with the red brocade threads. The diamond-shaped structure, which pays homage to the brocade’s distinctive motif, can be admired from every angle within the museum’s interior.
To further enhance the visitor’s experience, two steel staircases connected by two platforms create a vertical passage that seamlessly integrates with the installation itself. Inspired by the hexagonal shapes found in Xilan Kapu patterns, known for their warm colors and geometric symmetry dominated by repeating diamond shapes and diagonal lines, the linear structure of the staircases and the outer steel framework rest on a raised floor. Together with the woven patterns, they entice visitors to engage with the space and explore its depth.
In addition to the central area, the design team has incorporated simple materials such as white oak, textured paint, metal mesh, and terrazzo in the surrounding space. Against a backdrop of gray-black, white spindles intersect with multi-colored threads across the facade and roof, subtly guiding attention towards the center while partially concealing the peripheral space.
This remarkable project aims to bridge the gap between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design by infusing modern aesthetics and artistic forms. The spatial composition emanates a distinctive identity that is intricately linked to cultural heritage and spiritual attributes, captivating visitors and immersing them in the artistry of Tujia brocade.
