Project Description
Facing the unstoppable wave of global urbanization, and the rapidly growing population of urban citizens, the mental health issue within the developing process is serious and could not be ignored. According to the related survey, the number of cases suffered from depression and other harmful mental problems reported in Shanghai, an emerging international city, is increasing over the years. One of the reasons behind this psychological problem in an urban context is the boring and dull artificial light design around the city. The electric light provided is a single light source, which might depress people who have been in such a bright environment for long hours. The urban space of the busy working class is confined to the armored concrete forest and city's tinsel and glitter. It is not easy to have opportunities to interact closely with mother nature during the day or be exposed to natural dynamic light sources. The artificial light condition is mostly static, to meet the practical needs for business and entertainment; thus, the essential characteristic of natural light, changing with time, is lost. When the daylight changes during the day, its light intensity and light (color) temperature also vary accordingly. These changes not only make people aware of the passage of time but also leave people different psychological cues, which could be explained by the relationship between natural light and human circadian rhythm. Inspired by the above principles, the installation is designed to filter the natural light and enlarge its effect of the color temperature on mental health, as well as casting specific types of shadow that related to tree shades. Therefore, this light installation could adapt to and magnify natural light, simulate appropriate light conditions in the limited open spaces squeezed out of the high-rise buildings and indoors, cure and alleviate citizen's psychological problems. Investigated and learned from the chromatophores of color-changing octopus, the operating concept of the device is also energy-saving, with simple tectonic components.