Neo-Oriental Art: A Modern Take on Song Dynasty Aesthetics

Chien Sen Wu's Award-Winning Design Merges Tradition with Innovation

The inspiration for Neo-Oriental Art came from the city of Kaifeng's former prosperity, symbolized by a blooming chrysanthemum. The design aims to create a non-commercialized space that serves as an art gallery, a teahouse, and a means to experience Song Dynasty aestheticism. The layout of the space is centered around the concept of "voidness aesthetics," a core essence of Song Art, represented by the reflecting water in the courtyard. This design principle creates a feeling of fullness within emptiness.

Chien Sen Wu utilized various materials and techniques to bring this design to life. The black stone chosen for its reflectiveness serves as a visual metaphor for an inkwell. The black glass tabletops make the flowers on the wall appear as if they are reflected on a lake. The latticed door of the VIP room is made using Georgian wired cast glass, and the walls are made from white oak, enhancing the warmth and comfort of the space.

The design also incorporates a series of corridors and doors to create a feeling of spatial sequentiality. A large amount of indirect and diffused light is used to create a restrained and tranquil atmosphere, emphasizing the horizontal stretching and unfolding of the space. This lighting effect enhances the uniquely Asian aesthetic of the design.

The project, located at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Anshun Road in Kaifeng, China, started in February 2019 and was completed in June 2019. The design process involved testing the space and using the image of calligraphic ink to combine different objects or shapes to display a representation of oriental culture. The challenge was to incorporate the texture of life that embodies the magnificence of the ancient capital city and its literature, flowers, tea, and paintings.

Neo-Oriental Art is a testament to Chien Sen Wu's ability to merge tradition with innovation. This design, rooted in the aesthetic thought of the Chinese Song Dynasty, offers a modern interpretation of traditional Chinese culture. It is a space that looks void but is full, offering an experience akin to traipsing through a Chinese garden.