The Future To Be | KiKi ARCHi

The space blends abstract architectural elements, utilizing corridors, independent spaces, and interwoven semi-open blocks to illustrate the evolution of digital civilization. Among these, corridors serve as the central framework, acting as "time-space tunnels" delineated by epochs and connecting the five chapters. As each chapter unfolds, visitors' interaction with information within the corridors evolves. Initially, significant Lenovo Events are presented conventionally on display platforms, then transition to walls, acrylic boxes, metal grids, and ethereal mesh fabric. Visitors' perspectives shift from an initial top view to eye level, then to multidimensional observations and upward views. Through subtle changes in material textures, KiKi ARCHi skillfully conveys the gradual dissolution of information framework boundaries, with the media carrying information becoming increasingly ethereal.

Simultaneously, diverse independent spaces enrich each chapter of the exhibition, showcasing artworks that resonate with their respective eras and products from different generations of Lenovo. Notably, the display formats for each product generation are derived from and refined based on their unique characteristics. For instance, the "M" letter projection area corresponds to Motorola phones; the red column area symbolizes the classic TrackPoint of the ThinkPad; the colorful mirrored display area embodies the youthful and innovative traits of YOGA Laptops; and the dark display wall, inspired by a keyboard, pays homage to the gaming laptop "Legion" series. 

Following the circulation line to the turn, several "windows" on the facade create new visual intersections, resembling dynamic frames capturing scenes and characters from different chapters. Within these spaces, visitors can peer through these "windows" to look back at the past, glimpse into the future, and appreciate humanity's cultivation and harvest in the digital civilization. Moreover, the "windows" themselves serve as design elements, concentratedly arranged in the "dock" of the exhibition's fifth chapter. According to KiKi ARCHi, screens of electronic communication devices are akin to "windows" on buildings, with their size and aperture reflecting the technological advancements and perspectives of humanity at different historical stages, while also foretelling the innovation of boundaries and relationships.

At the end of the exhibition, mirrored pathways and transparent fragments create a tranquil atmosphere. Countless "windows" converge on one side of the dock, arranged from small to large, depicting Tianjin's the history, rivers, and architectural landscapes. They convey to the audience that no matter in the past or the future, amidst the implicit changes, people traversing along the corridor of time, whether wandering or stopping, can always experience freedom and livelihood with the evolution of the "digital civilization," "nature," and "mode of life." While trying to reach a balance among the three, arrive at a future beyond imagination.

Director: Yoshihiko Seki

Design Team: Saika Akiyoshi, Simin Lin, Che Zeyu

Photography: Ruijing Photo Beijing