Minglu Lu

An installation of candle components inspired by common memorials in life, combining two objects commonly used for commemorative and ceremonial purposes: flowers and candles. Each candle has an individual story to tell. I have linked these stories together using flowering plants as a thread to explore the impact of nature on human consciousness. The original intention of the project was to commemorate a loved one who had passed away and to encourage people to look at or remember something, where the memories of some may inspire conversation and sharing with others.

I see making and talking as an act of healing, involving people in the project and sharing memories associated with the flowers. Sometimes these acts do not lead directly to overcoming difficulties, but in the process we can gain a better understanding of ourselves and of others and the natural world.

During the creation period, I had one-to-one interviews with many people, trying to explore the deeper connection between flowers and people by collecting a variety of different stories, as well as customising their stories with their own memorials. These stories also inspired me that the subject of remembrance is not limited to a particular person, but can also be an experience that others find significant. These various examples are also about how we can help ourselves focus on our memories. I felt touched whenever the interviewees talked about the more vulnerable parts of themselves, and I believe the whole interview was a self-healing process for both of us.

Interviewee: Penghua Wang, Yuli Deng, Qihua Luo, Chengyan Sun

Collaborator: Yuli Deng

This project focuses on memorial benches along the New River Walk as a trigger point that extends the mixing and reimagining of cross cultural memorialisation. The series of memorials – represented by benches – connects the self and the world, the invisible and the visible. They are a resource for meditation and reflection. At the same time the benches are about the landscape itself, and encountering them by chance involves a particular way of seeing – the visual contemplation of an externalised scene.

The idea of exploring cross-cultures made me think of Chinese Kongming lanterns. Not only do they represent blessings and thoughts but they are also considered to be objects that can convey messages to those who have passed away. I think the benches create a space that can switch between public and private areas. Originally it was just an ordinary park, but because of the benches with someone’s name on them, this space has been turned into an emotional, empathetic, reflective environment. To embody this idea, I have created a virtual installation using AR technology.

This project captures unnoticed, and momentary parts of the landscape, transforming them into kaleidoscope-like patterns. I am trying to re-observe the surrounding environment through this practice. and think about how to design personalised patterns for specific places, people, or events in a creative way.

As one of the practices of this project, I chose to use film-like materials to make books in small format for easy storage. An attempt was made to embody the instantaneousness and independence of the landscape. The portable nature of books allows readers to freely view how books interact with natural light in different environments.