Fragile World
050Yim Tin Tsai, Hong Kong
An unknown globe settled down at the middle junction of Jade Girdle Bridge, with the matching diameter to the bridge width, the sphere appears to be a perfect fit to the new host. The sphere is long believed by mankinds to be a shape of perfection, a representation of reunion, eternal life and infinity of time.
Entitled ‘Fragile World’, one would realise the spheroid is a constitution of numerous mirrored rings angled towards the arrival path, drawing a territory that excavates truth and history through reflections. Three generations of Yim Tin Tsai, the offspring and their future are embarked chronologically into segments of textured reflections to expose hardships the ancestors’ encountered and sacrifices of the individual Hakka Women to pave way for their beloved ones, bolting into a patchwork of time.
Fragile World is a nostalgic fourth layer to the Jade Girdle Bridge, acknowledging the presence of the past and blessing to the approaching turmoil. While travellers enjoy the fruition of current stability, are we responsible to inherit the attitudes learnt from the island to overcome our adversities?
Context:
Built in 1953, Jade Girdle Bridge in Yim Tin Tsai was constructed with the pure intention to prevent villagers from losing their life when heralding and cultivating in the neighbouring island namely Au Sai Chau. Jade Girdle Bridge composed of sediments of layers, generally referred as three main layers, stacked by the helps across every two decades of repairs and kindness. The informal infrastructure is fragile to natural forces, and require the hands of outsiders such as university students and MacLehose to continuously upgrade the bridge to withstand the changing nature. Jade Girdle Bridge is an evidence of how human can overcome adversities and hardships through enduring time and pain.
Concept:
The project is initially proposed as an intervention in the form of another bridge placed perpendicularly to the existing Jade Girdle Bridge, connecting the waters separated by the manmade dam. The walking experience along the bridge reflects materialities that witness the changes of time on the island settlement. By textural treatment and reflectiveness of materials, travellers with curiosities will discover the repetitive occurrences of gathering and scattering.
Process:
In the eventual design proposal, visitors are guided to witness the presence of a surreal and ephemeral sphere resting silently on the middle portion of the bridge. Strips of mirrors curls and reflects the textural changes on the side faces of Jade Girdle Bridge, reminding the visitor’s to observe the unseen beneath the surface. And where the visitors currently stands upon, are only made possible with numerous sacrifices and kindness from the unknown precedents.
Production:
Approximate measurement of the bridge dimensions are surveyed to create offsite test assemblage in the factory. A bamboo scaffolding is then constructed as a working platform to assemble the ball. Prefabricated structures and mirrors later came in shipped from Sai Kung Public Pier until the shallow water nearby the bridge, and towed by small barge boat to the temporary platform.
Experience:
Taking the ferry known as ‘Kaito’ on a voyage to Yim Tin Tsai, the once prosperous island settlement is presently left with silence after the villagers’ gradual departure in search of better lands. While no one was there to accompany and feed travellers with knowledge about the island, Fragile World sits perfectly lonely at the center of the Jade Girdle Bridge, crowning the collective infrastructure a silver tiara after serving the people for years and decades. Reflections of the changing concrete sediments of the Jade Girdle Bridge are brought to the travellers’ eyes, can one find the meanings hidden within the layers.
Introduction:
“Anthony Ko is an architect, spatial designer and artist. He created the artwork “Fragile World” at the Jade-Girdle Bridge at Yim Tin Tsai. The spheroid is made up of mirrored rings, reflecting the efforts of the three generations of Yim Tin Tsai in building the bridge. Watch the video to understand how the artist reflects history in his artwork!”
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Client:
Tourism Council (TC), One Bite Design Studio
Occasion:
Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival
Typology:
Pavilion
Status:
Completion
Location:
Yim Tin Tsai, Hong Kong
Duration:
2022-2025
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Project Team:
Anthony Ko
Collaborators:
Hayger Chan (Assistant)
Fabrication:
Hattrick Creative
Construction:
Hattrick Creative
Photo Courtesy:
1km Studio
Videography:
Herman Chan Ho Wang
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