Invited by the Power Station of Art (PSA), SHISUO Design Office has officially unveiled "The Full Moon," a striking urban public art installation created to celebrate the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival in Shanghai. The high-profile project draws deeply from traditional cultural symbolism, integrating contemporary architectural design with heritage crafts to engage the public in one of China’s most cherished seasonal celebrations.
Located at the vibrant West Bund area, the installation immediately drew large crowds of visitors, pedestrians, and art enthusiasts during its exhibition period outside the renowned museum. The project represents a collaborative effort between the architectural team and Shi Qinling, an acclaimed inheritor of traditional Shanghai-style paper-cutting. Together, the creators framed the installation around three core thematic elements: the moon, rabbits, and the delicate, intricate art of paper-cutting.
The conceptual foundation of "The Full Moon" is rooted in centuries-old folklore and cultural interpretations of the autumn celestial body. Across various cultures and historical traditions, the rabbit holds a uniquely endearing place in the human imagination, standing out as one of the few animal figures universally beloved and recognized. Within the context of classical Chinese Mid-Autumn folklore, the rabbit serves as a constant and symbolic companion to the moon.
In this poetic narrative, the moon itself serves as a visual and philosophical symbol for the cyclical waxing and waning of existence, capturing the passage of time and the eternal rhythm of nature. Meanwhile, the accompanying rabbit acts as a rich metaphor for vitality, organic growth, and the flourishing of all living beings. By translating these enduring motifs into a large-scale physical installation, SHISUO Design Office sought to create a tangible bridge between ancient mythology and modern urban life.
A central feature of the installation’s intricate aesthetic is the integration of specialized materials that interact dynamically with both natural daylight and artificial illumination. Among these design details are rabbit patterns meticulously crafted using crackle-textured acrylic panels. These specialized panels allow light to fracture and scatter in complex ways, producing varied visual textures that shift throughout the day.
As visitors move around and through the structure, the installation reveals different perspectives and optical effects. Depending on the viewing angle, the physical form transforms, subtly evoking the changing phases of the moon. This optical versatility ensures that no two viewpoints are identical, encouraging observers to linger, explore the interior details, and experience the installation as an evolving spatial phenomenon rather than a static monument.
The collaboration with Shi Qinling introduces traditional intangible cultural heritage techniques into a contemporary public art context. Shanghai-style paper-cutting, known for its refined craftsmanship and intricate detailing, heavily informs the patterns and spatial enclosures of the project. By translating these two-dimensional paper traditions into three-dimensional architectural expressions, the design team highlighted the adaptability and enduring relevance of traditional craftsmanship in modern urban public spaces.
The exhibition at the West Bund outside the Power Station of Art underscored the growing role of temporary public art installations in activating urban waterfronts and cultural districts in Shanghai. By offering an interactive and visually engaging focal point, "The Full Moon" successfully fostered a sense of shared community experience during the Mid-Autumn Festival season, inviting citizens to reflect on cultural heritage while experiencing innovative design in an open, public setting.
