Starburst is an abstract sculpture set against vast wheat fields at the foot of nearby mountains. As both a visual and interactive public art installation, it offers a novel way to experience the natural environment, creating a striking intervention in the rural landscape.
The project site is near Caijiapo Village in southern Xi’an, where the Qinling Mountains stretch endlessly, with villages scattered among the wheat fields. People’s Architecture Office designed Starburst and a visitor center as part of the 5th edition of the Guangzhong Manba Arts Festival, a public art program that supports artistic interventions in rural locations.
This is a very magnificent, vast, rich and perse geographical environment. The Qinling Mountains stretch endlessly, with villages dotted among the large wheat fields at the foot of the mountains.
Starburst is like a shining red star, gently landing in the vast fields at the foot of Zhongnan Mountain, standing out from the surrounding environment; it is also an interactive environmental observer, which can provide people with a richer environmental experience.
Starburst stands out in the natural environment through its contrasting red color and abstract geometric form, becoming a heterogeneous intervention in the countryside.
Peering into the arms of Starburst reveals views into other worlds, colorful mosaics of natural imagery. Visitors are invited to engage with their surroundings and each other through a spherical array of kaleidoscopes. These optical instruments capture unique views of the sky, mountains, fields, and nearby villages, offering a constantly changing visual experience through their patterned reflections.
Beyond environmental engagement, Starburst fosters human connection. Each cylinder functions as a kaleidoscope, allowing people to view the environment or each other through shifting reflections. Visitors standing at opposite ends of the cylinders can see kaleidoscopic images of each other, creating playful and engaging interactions.
From a distance, Starburst stands as a bold landmark in the landscape. Its vibrant color dramatically contrasts with the muted tones of the surrounding fields and mountains.
The internal structure of the starburst is an icosahedral steel frame composed of pentagons. Nineteen cylindrical kaleidoscopes extend from the frame, of which five of the cylinders are ground supports and fourteen cylinders are cantilevered. The inner side of the cylinder is made of long triangular bent stainless steel plates, creating a kaleidoscope of reflection effect. Starburst is prefabricated in the factory and quickly assembled on site.
The installation’s design and interaction with the environment create a unique sense of place, connecting people to the rural surroundings in novel ways. Through its playful structure, Starburst transforms its surroundings into a space for exploration, reflection, and connection.
Project Location: Caijiapo Village, Xian, China
Client: Guanzhong Mangba Arts Festival
Project Curator: Wu Xiaochuan, Song Qun, Guanzhong Arts CO-OP
Design Firm: People's Architecture Office (PAO)
Principals: He Zhe, James Shen, Zang Feng
Design Team: Lin Mingkai, Huang Jia, Qi Ji
Structural Consultant: Liu Su / Beijing Shouan Architectural Structure Studio
Completed: October 2023
Photography: PAO, Guanzhong Mangba Arts Festival
Drawings: Zhang Meng, Lin Mingkai, Liu Xiaohua