The people of Baisha Island have lived by the sea for generations, with fishing nets as a symbol of their lives—light, gentle, yet full of tension. This became our source of inspiration, leading us to use white gauze as a medium to capture the golden light spilling over the sea at sunrise, the lingering glow embracing the village at sunset, the dance of the sea breeze, and the fleeting moments where the ocean and sky intertwine, allowing people to tangibly experience these poetic moments of romance. It is both a tribute to the island’s culture and a creation born from its inherent romance.
Xiao Ma’an serves as the perfect finishing touch to this romantic landscape. Like a bridge of connection on the island, it is within walking distance for both the villagers and Fangke, seamlessly linking their paths. At the same time, it extends the view, weaving together the entire scenery of Baisha Island. Here, time flows between the sea bathed in the morning light and the village gently caressed by the sunset, and romance blossoms in the interplay of light, shadow, and the whisper of the breeze.
As seventeen layers of white gauze radiate lightly from the northeastern corner, the landscape of Baisha Island is gently embraced. Cut and arranged with precision, the gauze forms two spaces—one facing the sea, the other leading to the village—linked by a small "window" through which people pass. With each step, the layers of gauze ripple in the sea breeze, as sightlines, shadows, and scenery shift between openness and veiled glimpses, gradually unfolding until, at the final moment, the vast blue ocean spreads before the eyes.
Listen closely—the sand chimes hanging at the bottom of the gauze sway softly in the wind. As the sea breeze flows through, the murmurs of the waves quietly seep into the space. When fishermen return from the sea, the white gauze, like a fluttering flag, stands at Xiao Ma’an, gently waving a greeting from Baisha Island. It marks the way home, a beacon of belonging, and a symbol of the island’s collective memory.
This soft, embracing space, like the island itself, adapts effortlessly to the needs of both locals and visitors. By adjusting the opening and extension of different gauze layers, it can transform into a seaside concert venue, a tranquil yoga retreat, or a floating Baisha marketplace. The delicate white gauze responds to the rhythms of island life with endless possibilities. And when the sea wind grows wild, the gauze quietly folds into the corners, waiting patiently for its next unfolding and blossoming.
The white gauze unfolds gently, drawing people in with a slow, fluid embrace. The surrounding landscape flickers between layers of translucent fabric—the contours of the sea, the caress of the wind, and the shifting play of light are all softly reflected through the veil of gauze. With each step forward, the fabric gradually wraps around the body, transforming distant romantic moments—sunrises, sunsets, sea breezes, blue skies, and the vast ocean—into tangible, intimate experiences.
As morning sunlight spills across the space, the gauze is bathed in gold, immersing visitors in a cascade of flowing light. By noon, it turns pure and weightless, accentuating the deep blue of the ocean. When the wind stirs, the gauze ripples like gentle waves, echoing the rhythms of nature with effortless grace.
People wander through the floating layers, their paths crossing and diverging, meeting by chance before vanishing softly into the shifting fabric. Here, no clear path is defined—only a shared journey shaped by wind, light, and fleeting encounters. The white gauze quietly gathers these romantic moments, weaving them into a soft and ephemeral tapestry of memory.
Seventeen layers of white gauze are suspended on independent steel cables, each cable supported by a pillar at the northeastern corner and another freestanding stainless steel post. The structure is minimal yet strong, allowing the gauze to slide freely and adapt flexibly to both the site and its users. The stainless steel posts, highly resistant to corrosion, reflect the surrounding light and colors, blending seamlessly into the environment and preserving the purity and lightness of the space.
The gauze is made of lightweight, durable, and weather-resistant white polyester mesh, ensuring longevity and safety. The pathways are constructed with hot-dip galvanized steel grating, providing a lightweight, breathable, and corrosion-resistant surface. Meanwhile, the gravel produced during site preparation is repurposed to fill gabion retaining walls, a technique that echoes traditional stone wall construction on Baisha Island. Visitors can also collect pebbles from the nearby Hou Beach or Lover’s Cove, inscribe their wishes upon them, and place them into the gabion walls, adding personal romantic imprints to the space.
All components of the installation, except for the gabion walls, are prefabricated—lightweight and compact for easy transportation and on-site assembly, ensuring an efficient and streamlined construction process.
The landscape extends outward as a natural continuation of the white gauze, unfolding gently in the form of tiered steps that offer spaces for rest, pause, and conversation. More than just a path leading to the installation, these steps become a stage for interaction—a place where islanders and visitors naturally meet, talk, and share laughter.
At sunset, as one sits on the steps, the distant village is softly embraced by the fading light, and time itself seems to slow, turning warm and serene.
The walkway is designed with a light, elevated structure, delicately floating above the ground to preserve the existing vegetation. Each visitor carries a small gesture of care—scattering seeds through the grating’s openings, allowing them to quietly take root in the earth. Over time, as flowers and grasses grow, they become traces of interaction between people and the land. The landscape continuously transforms through nature’s gift, eventually forming a path that seems to float above a sea of blooming flowers—an enduring imprint of gentle encounters and romantic memories.
The white gauze installation is not only the heart of this romantic setting but also extends into a diverse array of spaces. To the north, a platform resonates with the Lover’s Cove below, creating a unique spatial dialogue. During a concert, the cove is reawakened, transforming into a vibrant gathering place.
Although the small hut is not currently part of our design scope, it holds the potential to be repurposed in the future—as a tea house or reading room for the islanders. In harmony with the white gauze installation, it could shape a tranquil and inviting space where nature and daily life seamlessly intertwine, continuing to evolve and unfold.
Romance flourishes in the flow of emotions—it is the quiet exchange of words, the unspoken meeting of gazes, the natural closeness of bodies. It exists in moments of deep immersion, when hearts align in the same direction. It hides in serendipitous encounters, turning ordinary moments into something beautiful with the spark of an unexpected surprise. And above all, romance is found in special places, where time etches shared memories into permanence.
"Hello, White Gauze" is a conversation between nature and people—a realm of romance that belongs to everyone.
Here, you can plant a seed of hope and witness the passage of time intertwining with a sea of blossoms. You can embrace the sunrise, dance with the sea breeze, listen to the whispers of the waves, and feel the softness of white gauze brushing gently against your fingertips. In the delicate interplay of presence and absence, you may just discover a romance that is yours alone.
