The Glimmer: A Moving Lantern by FunDesign.tv and Tape That Collective

Transforming a Train into a Work of Art with Self-Glowing Tapes

The Glimmer is an extension of the "Tape art by tape that 2.0" exhibition, commemorating the Taiwan Lantern Festival, one of the biggest annual events in Kaohsiung. The tapes used in the project absorb sunlight during the day and glow at night, making the train the first in the world to light up without any electrical power.

The design was inspired by the city of Kaohsiung itself. After exploring the city's sea, ports, and mountains, the designers decided to put their beloved city on the train. The exterior murals depict rainbows in the sky and sea after rain, sparkling bays, scattered buildings, intricate traffic lines, and lighting patterns representing high-end technology. The interior, on the other hand, features interlaced arteries and veins, symbolizing the complex transportation system of the city.

The project was realized using self-glowing tapes, luminous tapes, and luminous foils. The tapes cover nearly 110 square meters of the train's exterior, while the interior is decorated with luminous foils and changing lights. This is a reflection of Tape That's 11-year accumulation of tape art techniques, aptly named the "clash of styles".

The Glimmer faced a significant challenge in finding the right light-emitting tape with the perfect adhesive. After nearly six months of testing, the team identified the best performing material based on light, shade, and time calculation. They placed the tape outdoors to experience wind, rain, and sun, and selected the appropriate glue mixing ratio based on the glue stability, degumming, and residual glue condition.

The project ran in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, from January 28 to March 31, 2022. It was a massive success, earning the Silver A' Fine Arts and Art Installation Design Award in 2022. This prestigious award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation.