2024 - Reuniting in the Glow: Our Spiritual Encounter in the Light

Sea burial, renowned for its eco-friendliness, conservation of land resources, and streamlining of funeral rites, has gained momentum across numerous countries and regions. In China, however, traditional burial customs deeply rooted in culture allow individuals to foster a profound spiritual connection with the deceased through physical markers like tombstones in cemeteries. This cultural attachment poses a significant challenge to the widespread adoption of sea burial, especially in regions where traditional beliefs persist.
In Chinese philosophy, life and death are seen as yang and yin respectively—two opposing yet complementary forces. While these forces are typically perceived as distinct, our commemorative space aims to blur this divide, creating a harmonious blend of life and death, light and darkness, yin and yang.
Water plays a pivotal role in our sea burial memorial design. The subtle play of light refracting through undulating water creates a dynamic and ever-changing environment, aligning with Chinese perceptions of a funeral memorial space. The variations in light patterns are intricately tied to the movements of the water, serving as a medium for the living to commune with the departed.
During our design exploration, we conducted experiments using a scaled-down acrylic water channel model. This allowed us to observe and record the interaction between light and water waves, simulating various disturbances to achieve different wave patterns. These findings were then incorporated into our memorial space design.
The memorial space is divided into three distinct sections, each designed to facilitate a unique spiritual connection between the living and the dead through the medium of light and water.