Meditation: A Unique Blend of Art and Illumination

Combining Buddhist Culture with Contemporary Design

Introducing Meditation, a public installation art product designed by Kang Shan. This unique creation combines the ancient practice of meditation with contemporary design and innovative technology. The aim is to provide people with a serene space for meditation while promoting Buddhist culture in a modern and accessible way.

What sets Meditation apart from other installations is its use of pumice for sculpting and remodeling. The surface of Meditation features shallow depressions that invisibly guide people to complete the correct meditation posture. This ensures that practitioners can achieve the maximum benefits of meditation and experience a deeper sense of relaxation and mindfulness.

At night, Meditation transforms into a mesmerizing light source. The installation emits light of varying brightness, which can be adjusted according to the duration of meditation. This feature not only adds a touch of beauty to the surroundings but also symbolizes the essence of Buddhism - the beauty of being selfless and forgetting oneself.

Technologically, Meditation is powered by solar energy. The bottom of the installation is connected to a solar power source, and when people sit on it, the pressure creates a connection between the positive and negative electrodes, allowing Meditation to be charged and providing illumination during the night. The strength of the night light is determined by the length of the charge, encouraging practitioners to engage in longer meditation sessions.

The design team, consisting of Kang Shan, Ding Wang, Mengyao Pei, and Shujie Zhu, meticulously researched and developed Meditation. They recognized the challenges faced by modern individuals in finding time and suitable environments for meditation. By integrating the principles of Buddhist culture and the needs of contemporary life, they created a solution that is both practical and meaningful.

Meditation was realized using grinding plastic and a pressure charging device, making it easy to produce and maintain. The dimensions of the installation are 1500mm in length, 1500mm in width, and 500mm in height, making it suitable for various outdoor spaces.

Recognizing its innovative design and contribution to promoting meditation and Buddhist culture, Meditation was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in the Street and City Furniture Design category in 2019. This prestigious award is bestowed upon creations that demonstrate exceptional design, practicality, and innovation, while meeting professional and industrial requirements.

Meditation is not just a work of art; it is a testament to the power of design to enhance our well-being and connect us with ancient traditions. By seamlessly blending art, architecture, design, and technology, Kang Shan and the design team have created a truly unique and inspiring installation that invites us to pause, reflect, and find inner peace in our fast-paced lives.