A large-scale art installation in Taiwan transforms the traditional Hakka oil-paper umbrella into a striking architectural structure that serves as both shelter and gathering space. Artist Cheng Tsung Feng's work, titled "All Together Under the Umbrella," features three interconnected canopies that stand prominently in Qingpu Park No. 11, exploring themes of community, protection, and shared space through a contemporary interpretation of traditional craftsmanship.
The installation draws deep inspiration from Hakka culture, where the oil-paper umbrella holds special significance as a symbol of unity, reunion, and destiny. The Chinese character for umbrella, 傘, contains repeated figures representing a person (人), which symbolizes human connection and interdependence. Building on this linguistic and cultural foundation, Feng expanded the traditional umbrella concept into three radiating forms that successfully merge craft tradition with modern spatial design.
Feng's creative process began with an extensive examination of the Hakka umbrella's structural elements, including its ribs, proportions, and joint mechanisms. By carefully deconstructing and reconfiguring these traditional components, the artist developed an innovative system of interlaced umbrella frames that create a continuous overhead canopy. This approach resulted in a semi-enclosed environment characterized by rhythm, repetition, and clear structural definition.
At the heart of the installation lies a carefully designed small pocket garden, surrounded by circular wooden benches that establish a meaningful connection between human activity and natural growth. The canopy structure itself is constructed from perforated canvas material, which allows both light and air to filter through naturally. During daylight hours, the installation produces shifting shadow patterns that change throughout the day, while at night it emits a gentle, welcoming glow. When rain falls, the angled planes of the canopy channel water away effectively, functioning as a practical echo of the traditional umbrella's protective purpose.
The three canopy forms extend outward from a central axis, creating a geometric configuration that appears different depending on the viewer's position. This dynamic quality makes the space function as both a practical shelter and a site for social encounters, where traditional material craft and contemporary architectural composition successfully converge.
Through "All Together Under the Umbrella," elements of Hakka cultural heritage are thoughtfully reinterpreted within a contemporary spatial framework that actively invites collective experience and reflection. The installation demonstrates how traditional crafts can be transformed into modern architectural expressions while maintaining their cultural significance and practical function.
