"Return to Simplicity"

"Return to Simplicity" is an art sculpture designed for the northern entrance of the Sihui Service Area along the Guanghe Expressway, serving as the first visual landmark of Guangdong (Province in one of the biggest cities in Mainland China) Transportation Group’s first Class service area. Inspired by the city’s dual identity as the "Hometown of Jade" and the breathtaking landscapes of Zhaoqing, the sculpture weaves together the contrasting narratives of jade carving in Sihui and natural erosion of Qixingyan’s karst formations, all guided by the fluid motion of the expressway.

The installation distills the tension between speed and time into a static geometric form—acrylic panels, parametrically cut into irregular geometric blocks, mimic fleeting glimpses of the Qixingyan karst landscape as seen through a moving vehicle’s window. The stone base, with its raw, rugged cross-sections, represents the slow sedimentation of rock layers over thousands of years. Together, the acrylic and stone create a dramatic dialogue between rapid human craftsmanship and the slow passage of natural erosion.

Light plays a crucial role in reconstructing the region’s identity. As embedded spotlights shine through the acrylic surface, they echo the dynamic streaks of vehicle headlights while metaphorically representing the countless strokes of an artisan’s chisel carving jade. When travelers look through the installation and see the outlines of both Qixingyan’s peaks and jade carvings, the service area transforms from a mere transit point into a cultural landmark that redefines the city’s identity.

The sculpture is crafted from double-A-grade acrylic and locally sourced stone, minimizing carbon footprint while reducing long-term maintenance and resource consumption.