2016
Nuo
Dashahe Chinese Nuo City
This project explores the transformation of Nuo ritual culture—a traditional Chinese folk belief system known for its expressive masks and guardian deities—into contemporary digital-to-physical sculptures.
The goal was to reinterpret Nuo visual language through digital sculpting and bring the design into physical form for cultural and artistic presentation.
Nuo Culture & Visual Language
Nuo masks and ritual figures provided the references for the sculptures. Exaggerated facial features, horns and carved ornaments were reworked into new designs rather than copied from a single artifact. The figures retain these recognizable details, with clear silhouettes and profiles that can be read across a public square.
Digital Modeling
The figures, accompanying creatures and supporting elements were sculpted in 3D, both as individual pieces and as grouped compositions. Proportions, poses and surface details were adjusted in the models before fabrication. Reviewing each design from different angles and viewing heights helped establish how the sculptures would relate to one another at full scale.
From 3D Model to Physical Sculpture
The digital models guided the full-scale fabrication, including the proportions and arrangement of each sculptural group. Fabricators adapted the forms for outdoor construction, adjusting thickness, joints and internal supports. The aim was to retain the contours and layered details of the digital designs while making the finished sculptures suitable for installation.
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Installation & Presence
The finished sculptures were installed in a public plaza, where visitors can walk around the figures and see them from different distances. Close views reveal the facial details and ornament; wider views show the grouped forms against the surrounding buildings. The installation photographs document their scale, placement and relationship to the site.
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