Nendo, a Japanese design studio founded by Oki Sato, presented its first-ever Olympic sculpture during the opening ceremony of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics games. The white, cauldron-like structure was made from 10 aluminum panels with interiors designed to reflect the sculptures' inner flame.
Inspired by the sun, Sato's design aligns with the ceremony's broader concept: "All gather under the sun, all are equal, and all receive energy". A first for the Olympics, the sculpture burns hydrogen only, which it creates using electrolysis of water via solar power energy.
Interestingly, the carbon-free gas used in the sculpture produces an invisible flame. As result, the creative team had to "design flames" using sodium carbonate sprays. "We adjusted the movement and shape of the flame to shimmer like firewood was stoked," said Sato in reference to the unique creative challenge.
Photo Credits: designboom, nendo.jp
Cauldron-Like Olympic Sculptures
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Trend Themes
1. Sustainable Olympic Sculptures - There's an opportunity for designers to create sculptures for large events like the Olympics that use eco-friendly materials and clean energy sources.
2. Invisible Flame Technology - There's potential to innovate in the field of flame technology to create carbon-free flames using sprays or other means.
3. Reflective Interiors Design - The idea of designing the interiors of sculptures to reflect the inner flame is a trend that could be applied to other large-scale artworks or installations.
Industry Implications
1. Event Production and Design Industry - The use of eco-friendly materials and clean energy sources for large-scale event production and design could be a disruptive innovation.
2. Chemical Industry - Innovation in flame technology that creates carbon-free flames has potential applications in the chemical industry.
3. Art and Design Industry - The use of reflective interiors to enhance artistic expression is a trend that could be adopted by other art and design professionals.