[Works] Flow of Qi

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Published: 2009/07/23Posted in: Works 作品介紹Tags:
[Works] Flow of Qi

中文版介紹

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Cross time and space to interact with the creations of the universe
Concept/Creative director Ms. Shu Min Wu

What is the purpose of the birth of mankind?

What is the relationship between people and all being of haven and earth?

“The unity of human being and the universe” is the way Chinese view the world.

All beings of haven and earth originally were of one Qi.

And “If we see everything from its changing aspect even haven and earth can not last for a twinkling of an eye. If we look everything from its unchanging aspect, it and we will never end.”

The transformation of Qi determines the various expressions of haven and man, object and self, surreal and real, and also life and death.

The Concept

“Flow of Qi” primarily means “breathing”. On one hand it was first used in Qigong, but on the other hand, it is also used in calligraphy art to describe the sprite that the calligrapher reprinted in between the brush strokes. Furthermore, it corresponds with the philosophy of “the unity of human being and the universe”, and indirectly implies that the “Flow of Qi” does not simply just track a person’s vitality, it also is a part of the transforming and nourishing powers of haven and earth. In Chinese concept of “Qi”, participants cross time and space to interact, dialog and join the creations of the universe.

The Interactive Design

The interaction scheme is developed from the concept of “Yin and Yang”, and it requires two participants for joint-interaction. One controls the progress of calligraphys through breathing speed, while the other affects the artwork’s density through breathing depth. Together, they can achieve a sense of harmony and balance between Yin and Yang.

People’s real-time breathing is the factor to influence interaction in this artwork. The artwork uses advanced UWB (Ultra Wide Band) sensing technology, developed by ITRI, to analyze both the breathing tempo and the breathing depth, through the measurement of changes of the chest movements, caused by the spontaneous breath. The viewer’s breathing rate is measured in real-time in every 0.1 second. The invisible transformation of Qi is meticulously detected and shown with sounds in the most delicate ways through the presentation of famous calligraphy artworks from the National Palace Museum in Taiwan.

Through the concept of “Yin and Yang”, the complicated and ever-changing breathing, the visual aspect of the interactive calligraphy stroke is produced from the speed and density of the ink. Sound frequency and volume are used to present the musical effects that correspond with the Yin and Yang qualities in the breath.

The saying that “a person is his/her words, and a person is his/her paintings” exemplifies the Chinese belief that charisma of an artist is what determines his/her artistic achievement. Through the presence and intimacy with the contemporary Taiwanese master calligrapher, we try to simulate the spirit of the past historical calligrapher. The audience can experience the vital rhythms between the brush strokes, and encounter a unique personal interaction with these legendary masterpieces by Su Tungpo, Huang Tingjian, Mi Fu and Zhao Ji.

The Technical Description

“Ultra wideband non-contact sensor” applies Ultra Wide Band (UWB) radar technology to measure any small displacement of the chest cavity, and can measure respiration rate and heart rate simultaneously. UWB technology uses microwave impulses to detect movements and the power of electromagnetic waves are less than 0.1 percent of normal cellular phone. The sensor can be placed at a distance and need not contact the user, making the “Ultra wideband non-contact sensor” convenient and suitable for long-term monitoring. UWB now is adapted to patient monitor, intrusion detection, collision avoidance system, precision positioning system in ITRI.

Exhibition Vita

Arts Electronica, Austria, 2007

Seoul Media Biennale, Seoul of Art Museum, Korea, 2008

SIGGRAPH Asia, Singapore, 2008

Science Center, Singapore, 2008

Taipei International Modern Ink Painting Biennial, Taiwan, 2008

2009 International  MEDTECH Art Show, National Taiwan, Museum of Fine Arts, Taiwan, 2009

The Team

Creation Producer: Ministry of Economic Affirs
Creator: Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI)
The original calligraphy images are authorized by the National Palace Museum in Taiwan.
Executive Producer: ITRI Creativity Lab
Concept / Creative Director: Shu-Min Wu
Art Director: Yau Chen
Calligrapher: Quenten Lee
Consultant: Shu-Min Lin, Chang Shin Wu
Producer: Horus Shu
Technical Director: Tsang-Gang Lin
UWB Technical Director: Teh-Ho Tao
Interactive Sound Designer: Tang-Chun Li
Assistant Producer: Yen-Ping Chiu, Chia-You Chao, Ching-Wen Lin
Assistant Artists: Cheng-Ya Liu, Pei-Chun Hou,Ling-Hui Lin
UWB Technical Specialists: Shih-Jen Hu, Stanly Kuo,Sheng-Feng Lee, Kun-Mao Kuo, Shan-Shan Ju, Kuang-I Chang, Yuan-Mei Huang, Chih-Chung Wu

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