Irons For The Ages, Flowers For The Day
Artist Li Hongbo known for using paper for his artistic pursuits, has created a sculpture titled “ Irons For The Ages, Flowers For The Day ” which is currently installed at SCAD Museum of Art till January 24, 2016.
The Chinese Han dynasty (206 B.C. – 220 A.D.) holds the record for the oldest known fragments of paper. China is known for its traditional paper toys and paper sculptures that tell stories through their form. Fascinated and intrigued with this aspect of his culture, the artist explored the possibilities of the material. He uses paper to create shape-shifting sculptures which captivate the viewers. A thin vulnerable material transforms into a masterpiece.
The sculpture shows a floral arrangement in various colours. Layers of honeycombed paper have been formed into one endless sculpture by using an adhesive . Upon closer inspection however, something much deeper is revealed. The sculpture is capable of twisting, bending and stretching, and it folds into guns- symbols of weapons and war.
Flowers give way to forms of guns. Li Hongbo wishes to show the “damage” hidden behind the vibrant flowers signifying that weapons are not only for self-defence. Captivated by the vibrancy of their desires humans resort to the use of weapons and cause destruction. It seems to be a plea for humanity to recognize the true nature of weapons; to ultimately realize that weapons are not needed.
By: Surabhi Bhatt , Sahiba Gulati
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.