Another Behin Ha’s Orange Ribbons Stretching Downwards in a Mixed-use Complex in Hangzhou

In the middle of tall buildings, several ribbons spread downwards with a vibrant orange color that breaks the monotony of the surrounding heavy structures. Circle and Square, a coated mesh fabric installation by Behin Ha, was commissioned to open a mixed-use complex in Hangzhou, China. The artwork is inspired by Behin Ha’s two previous projects with similar construction: Coshocton Ray Trace in Ohio and Together Apart in Denmark.

Its location is in the middle of tall buildings (cr: StudioSZ Photo)

Dynamic shape of the installation (cr: StudioSZ Photo)

Varying density and transparency (cr: StudioSZ Photo)

The temporary installation with a dynamic and alien shape attracts the passing pedestrians, making them slow down their walking pace to simply take a glance, or stop to engage with it, or even take time to enter to experience the space beneath it. Each strand of 426 fabric ribbons with a certain width and distance moves in the wind, creating the illusion of movement and an impression that blurs the surface. Not only physical, the installation also adds fascinating shade to the paved plaza by the direction of the sunlight.

Attractive to passersby (cr: StudioSZ Photo)

Blurry surface (cr: StudioSZ Photo)

Ground anchors (cr: StudioSZ Photo)

Circle and Square were constructed by stretching the ribbons from the building’s roofline and tying the other end to anchors arranged circularly on the ground, creating two distinct outdoor spaces. The linear top anchor and curved-pattern ground anchor produce a visual of overlapping bands, creating varying density and transparency. The view from the top of another, taller building is no less interesting, it looks like an orange liquid flowing lightly from a single elongated source, falling into two pools.

Ribbons stretched from the building’s roofline to the ground (cr: StudioSZ Photo)

The gaps between each ribbon create transparency (cr: StudioSZ Photo)

The view from the top of taller buildings (cr: StudioSZ Photo)

Collaborating with Vantaly, a Chinese art consultant, the designers ensured local material sourcing and efficient construction management. Circle and Square is one of the results of Behin Ha’s exploration of the interaction between art and architecture in public spaces. In addition, one could also see it as a more relaxed and casual opportunity for the public to interact with a small part of a bigger architectural work.

Varying density and transparency (cr: StudioSZ Photo)