QIU reveals its winning design THE CUBE for 2021 Kaohsiung International Container Arts Festival, Taiwan. THE CUBE – commu(nica)ting vessels through interstellar corridors – embodies QIU’s extensive exploration of the Festival’s main theme: Van Buren Supernova – A theme revolving around light, star constellations, new life, and hope.
THE CUBE is a pavilion consisting of a white, lightweight rectangle steel frame structure. It generates a hierarchy of spaces in which five container-like objects engage with uniquely by hanging, floating, and escaping.
The visitors are invited to explore the structure and the floating volumes freely. The dynamic lighting and materiality of the volumes offers the visitor a multi-dimensional interaction. Located in pier 9 in the regenerated art district of the city, this post-industrial setting has a perfect view to the Kaohsiung harbour. Various framed views can be discovered when looking through the volumes.
Due to the pandemic, containers are a scarce commodity, alternative materials were used to construct the pavilion. Lightweight translucent Polycarbonate panels retain the shape of the container, creating horizontal luminous volumes. They are guided by the interconnected lines of light – enabling visitors to explore the mobility of the unknown.
The pulsating translucent horizontal vessels evoke curiosity, and guide visitors into the centre of THE CUBE, while the pulsating rhythm of light and dark represents the pulse of life. The visitors are invited to enter a horizontal vessel to examine the ‘breathing organism of light’. They are perceived as silhouettes to the spectators on the outside and as such, they become performers of the art installation.
Through the hollow vertical container in the centre of the pavilion, a connection is made between the visitor and the sky. While gazing through the kaleidoscope-like interior, the sky offers infinite reflections of themselves. It explores a common theme between the container and the star, they are vessels that deliver tangibles and ideas.
Sustainability has been on the forefront of our design process; we minimised the weight of the structure by carefully selecting the right materials and the live load arrangement. All building materials, including the light fittings, of the pavilion will be recycled post exhibition.
‘We are honoured to be invited by the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts to participate in the 2021 Kaohsiung international Container Arts Festival.
QIU explored the Festival’s theme ‘Van Buren’s supernova’ via three distinct design concepts: The Cube – ‘Commu(nica)ting vessels through interstellar travel corridors’, The Loop: ‘Infinite Journey’, and The Peel: ‘Hope, Connection, and New Life’.
We are elated THE CUBE has been selected by the jury as winning pavilion, as THE CUBE complements the harbour location of the 2021 edition of the Festival. Our pavilion THE CUBE will be opened on 28 December 2021.’
Quality Innovation United
Program – Pavilion
Location – Kaohsiung
Scope – Architectural Design
Status – Completion 2021
