Illuminating the Shan Hai Jing

This light installation takes The Classic of Mountains and Seas as its narrative core（Shan Hai Jing） transforming mythical bestiary illustrations from Ming-Qing woodblock prints into tangible public art through luminous displays. Drawing on the spatial narrative logic of traditional Chinese New Year lantern festivals, the creative team constructs an immersive three-dimensional exhibition space within a 100-meter linear alleyway, inviting visitors to wander and observe. Employing a multi-layered exhibition strategy, the work systematically presents the mythological symbolic system from classical texts through ground installations, wall-mounted light paintings, and site-specific sculptures integrated with architectural structures. By orchestrating a dialogue between dynamic light projections and static architecture, the piece creates a sensory experience of overlapping temporal and spatial dimensions. While preserving the genetic heritage of traditional lantern festivals, the work seeks to establish a new dialogue between traditional culture and contemporary aesthetics, translating abstract imagery from classical texts into concrete public art forms. It offers audiences—particularly younger generations—a fresh pathway to engage with cultural heritage, aiming to ignite interest and curiosity in traditional artistic expressions. Simultaneously, the project aspires to foster cross-cultural exchange with international audiences, sharing and celebrating the essence of Chinese civilization