Alchemy Garden

Project Name: Alchemy Garden (Social Sculpture Installation)

Artist: Jung-Mei Wou

Materials/Dimensions: Four stainless steel sculptures/ Soar: L165xW128xH168cm, Aeon: L103xW91xH112cm,

Heart of the Labyrinth: L102xW73xH92cm, Metamorphosis: L105xW67xH73cm

3C Electronics Panel Array with tempered glass construction. Dimensions: 150x110x13 cm

Tempered glass integrated into the floor alongside the electronics panel array.

Year: 2023

The installation reveals the sense of awe that human beings have for the natural world. Inspired by the staggering statistics provided by the United Nations, which reveal a rapid escalation in global e-waste accumulation with a recycling rate of less than 18%, the Alchemy Garden emerges as a transformative endeavor. It invites discarded e-waste to undergo a ceremonial metamorphosis, infusing the sustainable cycle with artistic expression.

Each sculpture draws inspiration from the beauty of natural creatures. These sculptures capture the sensory experience of a garden, mirroring the dynamic flight of birds with its fluid form. Its unique shape challenges the lightness of metal sculpture, creating a floating visual effect. The curved surface lines redefine flight's momentum and stability, blending aesthetic appeal with structural mechanics. Among them, the butterfly sculpture, named Metamorphosis, serves as a poignant metaphor for the transformative process of recycling e-waste.

The incorporation of recycled electronic devices, underscores the significance of material transformation. As participants contribute landscape images from their memories, projected within the Alchemy Garden, art and technology merge to explore the deep connection between material attachment and spiritual emotion amidst the surge of e-waste. Visitors are invited to engage with shifting light, shadow, and sculptures, gaining a deeper understanding of the significance of e-waste recycling.