Dragon of Light

In celebration of the Chinese New Year of 2024, the Year of the Dragon, our studio was honored to design and fabricate a captivating installation for the Consulate of China. The work is located in the iconic Empire State Building lobby. This project reimagines the ancient art of Chinese shadow puppetry through a contemporary lens, blending tradition with modern innovation. The installation aimed to welcome the new year with symbols of strength, prosperity, and good fortune, deeply rooted in Chinese culture. Our design concept pays homage to the rich heritage of shadow puppet play, a storytelling tradition that has captivated audiences for over a millennium. By experimenting with various overlapping methods using plexiglass, we achieved intriguing color effects. The strategic spacing between each layer not only allowed for interesting color shifting and overlay but also created a dynamic effect that changes as visitors move through the lobby.