Bing-shen year of Formosan macaques

cults3d

Bing-shen year of Formosan macaques celebrates the beginning of a new cycle, aligning with the Chinese Zodiac's Monkey year, which falls between February 8, 2016, and January 27, 2017. I created Bing-shen year to highlight the arrival of a fresh start and draw attention to the plight of Formosan macaques in Taiwan. Formosan macaques, Macaca cyclopis, have inhabited Mountain Shou-shan for many years. However, their presence has become increasingly contentious due to feeding and interaction with tourists and locals. This behavior change has led to dependency on human handouts, altering the foraging habits of these macaques. The intense monkey-human conflict that follows has resulted in macaques stealing food from tourists and even invading local homes. In response, some residents have taken matters into their own hands, attacking the macaques, which has further escalated the situation. Scientists report that approximately 200 Formosan macaques have gone missing due to this conflict, creating a dire environment for their habitat. To mitigate the issue, conservation efforts are underway to reduce human-macaque interactions and provide less disturbed habitats. Experts recommend ceasing feeding, disturbing, and touching the macaques to break their dependence on humans and allow them to return to their natural habitats. As part of my Bing-shen year design, I aimed to leave a lasting impression on these animals by imprinting Chinese characters "Bing-shen" onto their feet. This act is rooted in the Chinese sexagenary cycle, which records days or years using a 60-year rotation. While many believe the Monkey year will return within a 12-year cycle, it actually recurs every 60 years. To reflect this cycle, I designed 24 nodes on the macaques' bodies, each capable of rotation and adjustment to display varying dynamics and expressions. These nodes represent the 24 solar terms in the Chinese Lunar calendar, symbolizing climate changes throughout the year. As a complete cycle is completed, signifying a new year's arrival, this design serves as a poignant reminder to cherish time and make meaningful use of it.