Foating Jelly
RedShadow
About the piece: Floating Jelly is a wind-driven kinetic sculpture inspired by the graceful motion of jellyfish and the poetic rhythm of ocean life. It continues the exploration that began with Magic Jelly (2023), deepening themes of fluidity, impermanence, and the quiet dialogue between humanity and natural forces.
Philosophy The jellyfish, both fragile and resilient, is among the oldest creatures on Earth. Drifting with the current, it moves with quiet grace. This effortless flow echoes the ancient Daoist philosophy of wu wei — action through non-action. Through this piece, the artist offers a gentle reminder, both to herself and to those who resonate with it: The Art of Surrender, there is power in letting go. Sometimes, the true art lies not in resistance, but in surrendering to the world around us.
Every part of Floating Jelly is handcrafted — from the curved PVC frame to the welded metal joints and the iridescent fabric stitched together by hand. The piece reflects not only the artist’s love for marine creatures but also her maker’s spirit: blending engineering with art, science with sensation. Powered solely by the wind, Floating Jelly offers a meditative experience, inviting viewers to stand still and witness how air becomes movement, and structure becomes alive.
About the artist: Born in China, RedShadow grew up in an environment where art felt distant and inaccessible. With no formal training, she pursued a career in science and engineering, but her instinct to create never faded. From building furniture, making digital gadgets to pottery, her hands were always busy making.
A few years ago, she turned toward art, self-taught and guided by curiosity. Her work is deeply inspired by nature—particularly the ocean life she’s encountered while diving. The rhythm of the sea and the elegance of marine creatures have become central themes in her sculptural explorations.
In 2023, she co-created Magic Jelly, a large-scale inflatable installation for Burning Man. Floating Jelly, her latest piece, is a continuation of the exploration—a kinetic sculpture powered by wind, echoing the motion and fragility of jellyfish, and inviting viewers to connect with nature’s grace and impermanence.