Down the Rabbit Hole is an art installation inspired by the Tangram puzzle.
Tangram is an old Chinese puzzle that consists of seven flat polygons, called tans. Its Chinese name Qi Qiao Ban means “seven ingenious pieces.” A Tangram puzzle focuses on the objective to rearrange the seven separate pieces into a complete image of various shapes (in outline or silhouette only). The classic rules are simple:
• All tangram pieces (or tans) must be used
• They must lay flat
• All must touch
• None may overlap
Click the image to see the solution
When you see rabbit (image), can you see rabbit (word)?
About the project
I have been fascinated by Tangram since I was a kid. It challenges the player to see beyond the basic arrangement of shapes and to reconsider the denotation of an image. So I thought it would be an interesting experiment using Tangram as a lens to explore the pragmatic side of typography.
What makes a letter legible? When working with limited shapes, how might one create readable words? How important is context when we read?
It felt like going down a rabbit hole when I started playing with this idea. So I decided to create the exact words “down the rabbit hole” with Tangram, leaving “rabbit” as a rabbit image and inviting the viewer to solve the puzzle with me -- When you see rabbit (image), can you see rabbit (word)?
TYPEFORCE
Down the Rabbit Hole is now on view at Typeforce 12. Typeforce is an annual exhibit celebrating wildly talented, emerging typographic artists and designers.
Fri, Mar 11, 2022, 6:00 PM — Sat, Mar 26, 2022, 7:00 PM
3219-21 South Morgan Street
Chicago, IL 60608
◆ Process and Opening Night ◆
