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Minimal Blades Flutter in the Breeze in a Shoreline Installation on China’s Chaishan Island

01 Mar, 2025

This post was originally published on Colossal

On an abandoned pier on Chaishan Island’s shore, an elegant installation rocks in the wind. Completed in 2023 by GN Architects, “The Seaside Pavillion” rests on a coastal trail frequented by tourists and locals alike.

The dynamic construction features dozens of elastic-wrapped blades that, when caught by a breeze, flit and flutter, echoing both the movement of the tide and creating a semi-shaded space for respite. “During the day, the leaves are closed,” the designers say in a statement. “In the morning and evening, when the tide starts to rise, the wings open and dance under the drive of the buoy, forming a romantic and magical scene.”

Once a fishing community, Chaishan today is mainly a tourist destination. Only 100 elderly residents still live on the island as many have left for larger cities. “The Seaside Pavillion” was commissioned by the Zhoushan government’s “Hello, Island” initiative to attract more people to move to the sparsely populated area.

While appearing delicate, the blades are designed to be resilient and to withstand typhoons. Fishing ropes provide their structure, while a rubber and steel armature creates a strong, hardy base. When a tropical cyclone threatens the island, caretakers can tie the blades down to prevent damage.

You can find more from GN Architects, whose projects span installations, landscapes, interiors, and more, on its website. (via designboom)

an aerial view of a seaside pavilion made of white feather-like blades
Photo by Liang Wenjun
an aerial view of a person walking near seaside pavilion made of white feather-like blades
Photo by Liang Wenjun
an aerial view of a seaside pavilion made of white feather-like blades
Photo by Liang Wenjun
the view underneath a seaside pavilion made of white feather-like blades
Photo by Liang Wenjun
a nighttime aerial view of a seaside pavilion made of white feather-like blades
Photo by Liang Wenjun
the view underneath a seaside pavilion made of white feather-like blades. three people sit on a bench and look out
Photo by Liang Wenjun

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Minimal Blades Flutter in the Breeze in a Shoreline Installation on China’s Chaishan Island appeared first on Colossal.

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Government consulting on sustainable investment labelling

Government consulting on sustainable investment labelling

The Australian Government is starting consultation on sustainable investment product labelling, which is designed to give investors more confidence to put more capital to work in sustainable products.

The federal government said the release of this paper is a key step in implementing its Sustainable Finance Roadmap — designed to help mobilise the capital required for Australia to become a renewable energy superpower, modernising the financial markets and maximising the economic opportunities from net zero.

This consultation paper seeks views from investors, companies and the broader community on a framework for sustainable investment product labels.

These labels are designed to help investors and consumers identify, compare and make informed decisions about sustainable investment products to understand what ‘sustainable’, ‘green’ or similar words mean when they’re applied to financial products.

The government said a more robust and clear product-labelling framework will help investors and consumers invest in sustainable products with confidence and help tackle greenwashing.

This phase of consultation will run from 18 July to 29 August and help the government refine its design principles for the framework.

The consultation paper is available on the Treasury consultation hub.

Image credit: iStock.com/wenich-mit

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