Boat, the character in Chinese is create by the combination of vessel- person or mouth- and the number 8. 8 ribs, 800 bamboo shafts, 8,000 sheets of rice paper draped over these shafts, and a nearly countless quantity of cotton threads went into the creation of Boat by the Chinese artist Zhu Jinshi which was recently installed at ART13 London. The piece is one of incredible presence- large enough to be moved through- and filled with meaning and symbolism.
The work is in part an identifier of dualities. East and west, life to death are two which come immediately to mind. It is solid while being temporary, and corporeal while being largely constructed with open air and implied volume. The sheets of hanging paper perform a wonderful bit of theatrical suspension of disbelief.
The volume appears homogenous at first glance, but upon closer inspection, looking down its core, the light shining through reveals a subtle rib system which may be structural, or may just be an added layer of compositional depth.
Matt Davis is a Virginia Tech graduate and one of the founding editors behind Arch2O. Launching the platform in mid‑2012 alongside fellow Hokies, he helped shape its identity as an international hub for design innovation and critical dialogue . With a foundation in architectural education and a passion for uncovering unconventional design approaches, Matt has contributed significantly—both editorially and strategically—to Arch2O’s growth, ensuring that emerging architects, academics, and creatives have a space to question, explore, and elevate the built environment.