Why did I design this Bitter Bamboo Room? From the beginning, I wanted to design a place which does not look like anywhere else, trying to avoid the characteristics of space as much as possible. Also, I always wanted to explore a space in which everything is simple and natural, free from laws and rules but only reflects the original and real status of the space. The technique is simple and basic, and plain materials were used. Everything goes back to the original point, as pure as infants. That is to “return to the earth” both technically and emotionally. In this society, “Having” makes us so frivolous. Only by returning to the beginning, can we find the way where we come.
Therefore, the low-cost, simple and delicate bamboo was selected as the material to express the spatial texture. In terms of construction, basic folk techniques from rural China were adopted to achieve basic functions and to avoid involving professional workmanship. It is this vulnerability and amateurism that allows me to see the path where I came from. This world is not complicated at all, neither is design. The truth is we have abandoned our basic emotions or status to pursue extra mystery and complexity. Therefore, the world is in lack of humanity, emotion, self and authenticity.
Bitter bamboo room is aimed to convey a kind of environmental protection with low cost and low-tech. The selected bamboo skins and bamboo patterns are fixed by white bars arccodring to their original shapes. It is a green design without any artificial adjustment and adhesive. In fact, this had been the very status of space decades ago. However, science and economic progress has been taking us further and further away from nature. So here we are encouraging affordable low-carbon green.
Now, the suffering, miserable humanity is an obvious contrast to the booming economy. In an age of no humanistic belief , we should think and experience what's happening in the world.
Bitter bamboo room is like a person doing penance. It also symbolizes the modesty and toughness of bamboo. We lower ourselves, and then see this world. Artists retreat, and then show their temperament. This is Bitter bamboo room.