Commisioned kinetic light installation
Chu 《舳》
「 風雨冥晦時，惟憑針盤而行 」
In times of storm and darkness,
only the compass can guide us forward.
– Dream Liang Record 夢粱錄
Drawing inspiration from this evocative line in a Song dynasty maritime chronicle, the artist reimagines the ancient compass as a slowly rotating mechanical installation.
Chu is an art installation commissioned by the culinary space Circum-. Positioned at the center of the space, the piece symbolizes both the stern of a ship and a maritime compass.
The title Chu 舳 combines the Chinese characters for “boat 舟” and “origin 由,” evoking ideas of direction, navigation, and steady guidance.
The historical concept is transformed into a slow-turning mechanical compass, emitting a warm glow that reflects off hammered copper and cool-toned aluminum.
The shifting light and texture echo the material gradients found throughout the architectural space, striking a balance between technological precision and poetic atmosphere.
Chu serves not only as the visual anchor of the room but also as a silent navigator—inviting diners to embark on a sensorial journey through the “Pan-Chinese Flavor Ring,” where culinary experience becomes a voyage through layered histories and imagined futures.
◇ Location : CIRCUM- Regent Taipei
◇ Artist : Hsiangfu Chen
◇ Production Co. : Yixiang Lin
◇ Interior Design : Rulersdesign
◇ Cooperation Interior Design : Muuk design
◇ Photography : Heycheese