Inspiration

Shape: In exploring the natural rhythms of respiration and in thinking deeply about breathing, our installation symbolizes the expansion and contraction of respiration through elements such as lungs and plants, embodying the close connection between respiration and emotion.

Meaning: We combined the physiological act of breathing with emotional expression, using lung-inspired forms to symbolize life and vitality. The lily shape represents the rhythm and continuity of breath, while also symbolizing forgiveness and release—echoing the calming effects of deep breathing.

Manufacturing Process

Flower Construction

Recycled plastic bottles were repurposed to create flower petals. The bottles were cut into thin sheets, trimmed into petal shapes, and heated using candles or a heat gun, allowing the edges to curl naturally. These sculptural petals were then attached to the branches using hot melt glue. A short stop-motion animation documented the process.

Lung Structure Shaping

A malleable resin material was used to form lung-like shapes. After boiling the resin to soften it, the forms were shaped by hand, with surface detailing to mimic the texture of human lung lobes. Four translucent lung structures were completed in this way.

Branch Construction

Multiple pieces of wire were twisted together to form organic, twig-like branches. These were shaped to resemble elements of the respiratory system. A thin layer of resin was applied to the surface to reduce the metallic look and better integrate with the rest of the installation. Small lights were placed at the base to represent flowing life energy.

Final Assembly

The resin lungs and plastic petals were gradually assembled onto the wire branches using hot melt glue. Together, the intertwined elements—lungs, flowers, and branches—create a cohesive installation that symbolically explores the rhythm of breath and the continuity of life.

Outcome

The installation gives a sense of stillness and relaxation, echoing the connection between the emotions and the body. In this way, the installation is not only a work of art, but also becomes a medium for meditation and relaxation.

Reflection

The main challenge was integrating lung structures with botanical elements. Wire branches required precise crafting for both stability and aesthetics. Petals made from melted plastic bottles were easier to shape, but the detailing could be improved. Overall, the result matched the original concept of expressing breath and life. Future iterations will explore more diverse materials for finer effects and greater interactivity.

Visual consistency: A key issue was the visual disconnect between the physical installation and the digital elements. Jules suggested importing photos of the sculpture into TouchDesigner and turning them into abstract visuals. This could unify the physical and digital, similar to the approach used in 77 Million Paintings.

We held another workshop this Friday to push our installation closer to completion. Building on last week’s progress, we focused on refining the plastic flowers, solving resin challenges, and assembling the final structure.

We started by creating nearly 10 plastic flowers, cutting and melting bottles into petals with practiced efficiency, and then gluing them together. Everyone works well together to form an assembly line of plastic flowers.

The real breakthrough came with the resin lungs. After struggling with the heat gun last week, we tried a simpler method: boiling resin in a pot of water. The resin softened quickly in the bubbling water, making it easier to shape—though handling the hot material required careful gloves and teamwork!

We molded four lung-like forms and attached them to the wire branches Xinyi had made earlier. To blend the industrial look of the iron wire, we coated the branches with a thin layer of resin, hiding the metal beneath a smooth, organic texture.

Finally, we glued the plastic flowers to the resin-coated branches, weaving the elements together into a cohesive shape. Petals, translucent lungs, and wire branches hint at the interplay of breath and form.

On 21/3/2025, last Friday, our team held a workshop to begin constructing the interactive breathing installation. Here’s our progress and creative problem-solving.

1. Plastic Flowers
Can, Ruolin and Ashley heated manipulation transformed rigid plastic into surprisingly lifelike flora. They cut bottles into large sheets, then into petal-sized pieces. Then they carefully melted the plastic with heat to curl the edges into organic petal and stamen shapes. Finally the pieces into delicate, sculptural flowers.

I filmed the process in a short stop-motion video.

2. Resin Lungs

Li tried to make lung shapes out of resin. She softened the resin with hot water and a heat gun to mold its organic shape. But it was tricky because the resin hardened too fast, making detailed sculpting difficult, and our heat gun stopped working. We ended up with some interesting resin pieces we might still use.

3. Wire Branches

Xinyi Bent and twisted iron wire into branching stems based on 3D model references. She added small lights at the bottom that will glow in the final installation, suggesting the vital energy of breath moving through a system.

4. Documentation & Support

My role included photographing, and videoing the process while assisting wherever needed – whether helping adjust a stubborn petal shape, preparing materials, or troubleshooting our equipment challenges. The photographs I took capture not just our progress but the collaborative spirit of the day, where every challenge was met with inventive problem-solving.

We haven’t finished everything yet, but we made good progress. Next week we’ll complete the lungs, put all the parts together, and connect them to our digital system. I’m excited to see how it will all come together!

Updated post  18 April 2025

Based on the previous installation design and layout, I refined the structural details and created a new spatial simulation tailored to the exhibition venue.

Continue reading “Layout & Installation Design （Updated）”

After modifying the interaction method, I began preliminary form simulations in C4D (Cinema 4D) to better understand the overall structure and spatial composition of the installation.

I retained the tree-like structure of transparent tubes but refined the interaction process. Instead of participants directly breathing into the tube, which raised concerns about comfort and hygiene, I adjusted the design so that they would use their hands as a connection medium, touching the tube to transmit their breath indirectly.

During the modeling process, I explored various shapes for the central container, including lungs, a heart, and more abstract organic forms, to determine which best represents the visualization of breath.

Currently, the C4D simulations have given me a clearer understanding of the installation’s overall form and interactive logic. Moving forward, I will continue to explore material feasibility and test different sensor placements to further optimize the interaction experience.

Feedback：

Problem: The current installation height requires participants to bend down to interact, which may create discomfort and disrupt the immersive, meditative experience.

Improvement: Lowering the installation allows participants to engage in a more natural and relaxed posture. Adding cushions or seating elements can further enhance comfort, encouraging a deeper, more contemplative interaction with the piece.

Overview: My initial idea , case study and Philly’s feedback

In the post-pandemic era, we have begun to reevaluate the significance of breathing. It is not only a fundamental condition for survival but also a means of regulating the body and mind, an invisible connection between individuals and the world. The pandemic forced us to experience a time when breathing was restricted, and air was perceived as something to be cautious about. Now, have we truly learned to coexist with our own breath?

This installation aims to visualize the act of breathing, transforming it into a therapeutic experience. It guides participants to focus on their own rhythm, perceive the flow of air within their bodies and the surrounding space, and return to a state of inner calm.

Case Study

“Vicious Circular Breathing” — This artwork forces participants to breathe in their own exhaled air, creating a sense of tension and suffocation, emphasizing the restriction and anxiety associated with breath.
My reflection: How can I reverse this effect, making breath feel light and free rather than heavy and oppressive?

“Last Breath” — This work records and stores a person’s final breath, giving breath a sense of time and life’s significance.
My reflection: Can breath be more than just a record of the past? Can it become a way to experience the present, allowing the audience to find healing through their own breathing?

“当呼吸可以言语（When Breathing Becomes Language）” — This piece transforms breathing into a form of communication, stripping away the complexity of language and returning to a fundamental, bodily mode of interaction.
My reflection: If breath can connect people, can it also serve as a tool for self-regulation, relaxation, and meditation?

My Idea: A Tree Formed by Transparent Tubes

Interactive Experience

• Participants wear a mask, which connects to the installation’s tubes.
• Their breath travels along the transparent tubes, ultimately converging in a central container, possibly shaped like lungs or a heart, symbolizing life and connection.
• Sensors track the airflow and convert the data into visual and auditory feedback, making the act of breathing visible, audible, and tangible. 

  

Feedback

During our discussion, Philly provided several key insights and suggestions, which deepened my understanding of the installation’s details:

 The Use of Masks

• Incorporating masks in the installation effectively evokes memories of restricted breathing during the pandemic, but it may also cause discomfort or limit the participant’s sense of freedom, potentially disrupting the calming experience.
• Suggestion: Consider a replaceable design or an alternative microphone-like device that allows participants to interact more naturally without fully wearing a mask.

Optimizing the Sensor Placement

• In the current design, air travels through the tubes into the central container before being detected by the sensors, which may cause data loss and reduce accuracy.
• Suggestion: Place the sensors closer to the participant’s breathing source, such as at the entrance of the tube, to directly capture variations in breath while still preserving the airflow visualization effect.

Balancing the Atmosphere & Theme

• If the installation aims to create a therapeutic and relaxing experience, an excessive use of medical-like elements (e.g., tubes and masks) might evoke a sense of restriction rather than relaxation.
• Reflection: Clarify whether the installation is more focused on immersive healing or if it carries a critical perspective on medical environments.
• Potential Adjustments: Use lighting, sound, and material choices to create a softer and more inviting atmosphere, ensuring that participants feel a sense of calm rather than an association with medical settings.