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taiyi yu’s windmill on the beach rotates in the breeze to create an imprint in the sand

art 192 shares connections: +260

w.i.p.: windmill in play harnesses the power of the breeze

 

W.I.P.: Windmill In Play is an interactive installation that breathes new life into the traditional windmill structure to explore how we can reframe our engagement with the natural world. Crafted by designer Taiyi Yu, this deconstructed windmill takes center stage on the beach, engaging in a playful dance with the wind. As it harnesses the power of the breeze to transport sand in a continuous loop from one point to another, it gradually leaves a visual imprint on the ground, temporarily shaping its site. Taiyi created this object in response to the mechanistic worldview of utilizing winds, encouraging a deeper connection with this natural force and the world around us.

taiyi yu’s windmill on the beach rotates in the breeze to create an imprint in the sand
all images courtesy of Giulia Menicucci

 

 

taiyi yu explores perceptions of wind power and energy

 

Taiyi Yu’s inspiration for W.I.P. struck him upon arriving in the Netherlands, gathering an appreciation for the country’s robust winds and iconic windmills. ‘How have winds been industrialized?’ the designer questioned. This thought became the foundation of his research in which he explored the historical and contemporary appropriation of winds through the lenses of modernity and coloniality.

 

The windmill, both a concrete and metaphorical symbol of industrialization, underscores the dichotomy between humans and nature. It embodies a mechanistic worldview that views the natural world as a resource, shaping human-nature relationships, influencing daily life, and promoting resource exploitation through functional objects and infrastructure. Through a playful manipulation of this machine, the installation prompts a reflection on whether we can move away from the objectification of winds to foster a renewed and more harmonious relationship with the natural world.

taiyi yu’s windmill on the beach rotates in the breeze to create an imprint in the sand
harnessing the power of the breeze to transport sand in a continuous loop from one point to another

taiyi yu’s windmill on the beach rotates in the breeze to create an imprint in the sand
Taiyi Yu sites this deconstructed windmill on the beach

a windmill constructed as a revisit of our relationships with the natural world 3
powered by the wind, it gradually creates visual imprints in the sand

a windmill constructed as a revisit of our relationships with the natural world 4
the installation questions how we can foster a more harmonious relationship with the natural world

windmill-in-play-taiyi-yu-designboom-1

 

project info:

 

name: W.I.P.: Windmill In Play
designer: Taiyi Yu

 

 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: ravail khan | designboom

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