In collaboration with Luoyi Xu, Yishen Yang, Yunpeng Peng

Architectural Association, London, UK, 2023

Titled "Spread of Happiness," the outdoor interactive installation delves into the multifaceted relationship between everyday experiences—night, food, social interactions, questionnaires, light— and the elusive concept of happiness. Using LED lights to create a dynamic light map, the installation illuminates individual experiences one light at a time, forming a personalized mapping of happiness. The project posits that metrics and scales, often reserved for quantifiable entities, can also be applied to more abstract concepts like happiness. In this case, the "spread" of happiness is subjectively defined by each participant, especially in relation to food. The sensory act of smelling, seeing, or even contemplating a favorite dish serves as the threshold for triggering an experience of happiness.

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As you step into a public space, have you ever paused to consider how that environment is an epitome of influences from various generations, cultures, and human interactions? Public spaces serve as silent witnesses to the passage of time, the mingling of diverse cultures, and the ever-evolving tapestry of human experience. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Camden Market in London—a locale steeped in the city's rich history—our event features an eclectic ensemble of six concurrent projects dispersed throughout the area. Each project is a result of meticulous site analysis and addresses a range of themes, including emotional resonance, the interplay of sound and light, historical textures, and material innovation. Curated by students from AAIS, the event serves as a dynamic intervention in the public space, infusing it with renewed energy and vitality through a spectrum of design approaches and documentation techniques. Visitors are invited to witness firsthand how these innovative projects not only engage with but also enrich the existing social and physical landscape. Offering a multi-faceted exploration through the mediums of sculpture, installation, multimedia, and emerging technologies, each group embarks on a unique journey to interrogate the intersections of old and new, culture and economy, and nature and humanity. Experience a transformative blend of art and insight, and become an active participant in the reimagining of a public space that speaks to the complexities of our shared human condition.

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The installation also addresses the collective experience of happiness within specific contexts—such as a marketplace. It operates under the assumption that for any individual frequenting a place like Camden Market, there exists at least one food stall that amplifies their joy to a discernible degree. The personalized mapping component serves not merely as an artistic device but as a psychological and social probe. It invites participants to engage in self-reflection and explore the connections between their personal preferences and their emotional states. Through a harmonious fusion of technology and emotional resonance, "Spread of Happiness" offers not just a visual spectacle but an immersive, participatory experience. It beckons the audience to question, to feel, and to map their own zones of happiness, contributing to a collective tapestry that captures the ephemeral yet universally sought-after state of being happy. Exploring the subject of "place," the installation defines the "coverage" of happiness based on one's proximity to or time spent in a location that evokes comfort. The project contends that an individual's perception and experience of happiness can be significantly shaped by various external factors, such as environment and material circumstances. To capture this dimension, interviews were conducted with individuals frequenting Camden Market. Participants were asked to identify what they considered to be the most comfortable or pleasing spaces within the market. Subsequent to this data collection, the project proceeded to map out these "comfort zones," aiming to visually represent and thus amplify the pockets of happiness experienced by visitors to Camden Market. By examining both the objective spaces and the subjective experiences that make them meaningful, "Spread of Happiness" aims to reveal how even in a shared physical environment, happiness is a deeply personalized emotion. The installation serves as a tangible reflection of the invisible boundaries and landmarks that delineate our individual emotional landscapes.

Email: jieminglan1@gmail.com

Spread of Happiness

Event Introduction

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