aranya plein air

I am honored that the overall visual design of the aranya plein air has received the TDC prize. aranya plein air is an on-site conversation featuring 21 contemporary art installations from both domestic and international artists in the valleys of Jinshanling, engaging in a dialogue with nature. “plein air,” translated as “ﬁlled with air,” poetically expresses the concept of the “outdoor.” The movement of the same name that emerged in the early 19th century, “en plein air,” directly inﬂuenced subsequent movements like naturalism and impressionism, revolutionizing centuries of painting traditions and inspiring artists to create outdoors in harmony with nature. Nature serves as a signiﬁcant theme for contemporary artists, also being a ﬁeld of study and work for many.

The unique topographical features of Jinshanling, along with three wild hiking routes, allow art installations to be encountered as one traverses the area. Readers use their bodies to perceive the marvelous integration of nature and art.

Our design creation, shaped through multiple on-site surveys, draws inspiration from the ﬁve senses of the body. The conceptualization of the main visual element is inspired by the local landscapes and a unique exhibition viewing approach, aiming to visually convey the rhythms of local nature and provide a magical experience of personally feeling the marvelous of art through the body.The forms of Jinshanling’s plants are translated into the letters “apa,” making the diverse “apa” the visual elements of the aranya plein air. Colors, ever-changing, narrate the seasonal stories of vegetation, while the free-ﬂowing text layout responds to the intertwining of art and nature during the hike.

Yu Qiongjie [China]

Art Director, Transwhite Studio

Associate Professor，School of Communication & Design of CAA

Curator, Transtage Space

Yu Qiongjie graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Visual Communication Design from the China Academy of Art in 2007. In 2010, she completed her postgraduate studies at Camberwell College of Arts, University of the Arts London, specializing in Graphic Design and Book Arts, earning dual master’s degrees.

She focuses on research, practice, and communication in typography, typeface experimentation, information editing, and book design. Over the years, she has actively engaged in sharing, exchanges, and lectures both domestically and internationally. She has constructed a “Learning Model” by integrating teaching, visual research, design archaeology, event sharing, exhibitions, writing and publishing.