The Milky Way: A Celestial Art Installation by CAPA

Exploring the Blend of Art and Technology in Public Spaces

The Milky Way, a project by Beijing Central Academy of Public Art (CAPA), is a testament to the fusion of art, architecture, and technology. Inspired by the galaxy in the sky, the installation's interlaced lines light up when night falls, creating a mesmerizing visual spectacle. The full-color LED light tubes, with seven shifting colors, produce rich visual effects that display the mystery and charm of the vast universe.

The sculpture's unique properties lie in its size and lighting design. Spanning 90 meters in diameter and standing 40 meters tall, the installation presents a giant volume that dominates the space. The lighting of the work adopts a full-color LED lamp design, preset with seven colors for color change. This design can meet the visual effect and show the mystery and charm of the vast universe. The colors can be adjusted according to needs, such as weekday mode, holiday mode, New Year mode, major event commemoration mode, etc.

The Milky Way was realized through the use of stainless steel forged spray paint. The project was a significant undertaking, with a duration from 2018 to 2019. The installation is located in Wuhan, China, a city divided into three parts by the Yangtze River and its largest tributary, the Hanshui River. This geographical feature inspired the three obvious and intensive lines of curves in the sculpture, corresponding to the magnificent three towns of Wuhan.

The project faced several challenges, including the placement of the oversized structure on a surface similar to an eggshell, complicated visual problems due to the proximity of tall buildings, and the need to reflect the cultural connotation of Wuhan while conforming to the modern temperament of the Optics Valley business circle. Despite these challenges, the design team was able to create a sculpture that not only lights up the night sky of Wuhan but also tells a story that resonates with the city's cultural history.

The Milky Way project has been recognized for its innovative design and cultural significance. It was awarded the Golden A' Fine Arts and Art Installation Design Award in 2021, a prestigious accolade granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom. These venerated products and bright ideas advance art, science, design, and technology, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.