The Root of Squids
Immersive Art Space
We gather because we share something in common. Time flies. Majority of villagers in Kau Sai have moved to urban areas. As a result, we lack common reasons for gathering in Kau Sai and become estranged. A young villager from Kau Sai and a social designer hope to tell a Kau Sai story using the village’s common language and art, to create more “things in common” and opportunities for gathering.
Services
Motion Graphic
Projection
Exhibition Design
Art Engagment
Creative Experience
Credits
Artist: Kelvin Ho, Jenny Tse
Curator: One Bite Design Studio
Organizer: Tourism Commission
Production: Hattrick Creative
The Story
Our idea is inspired by the common memories of Kau Sai. Villagers have a folk wisdom to capture bigfin reef squids. They put a dead pandanus tree into the ocean, and squids treat it as a nest and gather around. This tradition creates a gathering spot for villagers to fish and share. The role of our artwork is like putting the pandanus tree. We want to gather and co-create the piece with villagers. The artwork is also an art space for the public to gather, and it includes an immersive experience that allows people to feel the story with multiple sensations and creates new common memories. So, we gather again under the Root of Squids.
The Experience
In the main indoor art space, we aim to provide a multi-sensory immersive experience that allows viewers to interestingly observe the story of the squid migration. Visually, we present a dreamlike underwater scene through 3D animation, hoping to create an atmosphere of the ocean. Coupled with mirrored surfaces, when viewers enter the main area, it feels like stepping into a completely different world. Additionally, the space is filled with art squids made from iridescent materials that shimmer under the spotlight, displaying different colors from various angles. The art squids are fixed to a rotating structure, and when stirred by the wind, they gently rotate and sparkle, enhancing a dynamic visual experience.
In terms of sound, the audio effects accompany the animated projections. The ambient sounds of the ocean create a feeling of being underwater. Sound is also a crucial part of storytelling; we have recorded the verbal histories of the villagers, which become the soundscape of the art space, allowing viewers to hear stories related to Kau Sai, the bigfin reef squids, and stories of “gather”.
For tactile interaction, we have set up a fabric curtain installation that viewers must push aside with their hands to enter the space, mimicking the motion of swimming, thus drawing everyone into the underwater world. Additionally, we have created a seating area with some underwater stones, allowing viewers to stay and enjoy the experience.
Co-creation
The entire art space was collaboratively created by the Kau Sai villagers. We hope to tell the story from their perspective. The theme and materials chosen resonate with their fishing customs. During the production process, villagers participated in selecting materials and sharing opinions, such as suggesting the look of the art squids to create more connections with the real bigfin reef squids, and recommending the “hanging squids under sunlight” activity to make the overall experience more complete.
