Artist: Hao Feng
Project Title: “Big joy”
Project Concept:
“Big joy” is a site-responsive, participatory art experience designed to connect the public with nature through movement, mindfulness, and cultural expression. Aligned with the 2025 theme “Walk With Me,” this project centers around a series of live, artist-led activities that foster environmental harmony, presence, and community engagement. These outdoor sessions will be held within the Wildflower & Forest Preserve and are inspired by traditional Chinese sports and movement arts.
Artist-Led Activities:
- Juggling: A playful warm-up to increase focus, coordination, and awareness of the present moment.
- Shuttlecock Kicking (Jianzi): A traditional Chinese sport promoting balance, community, and rhythm with nature.
- Stick Practice (Gunshu): Rooted in martial arts, this practice enhances body awareness and flow, engaging with the natural landscape through choreographed movement.
- Body Movement: Participants will explore the forms of caterpillars, clouds, and birds through expressive movement to cultivate observation and connection to the surrounding environment.
Public Experience & Safety Considerations:
All sessions will be free, inclusive, and designed to be safe and accessible. Activities require minimal or no equipment, ensuring low impact on the natural environment and high engagement across age groups.
Conclusion:
This interactive project transforms the park into a living space for reflection, play, and shared presence. Through guided physical and meditative experiences, the artist invites visitors to “walk with” both each other and the natural world, cultivating joy, mindfulness, and environmental empathy.
