“Living Mandala: The Cosmic of Being” presented by Zhou

(Long paper)

Keywords: Mandala, Visualization, Data, Interactivity, Real-time, Cosmology, Mythology, Universe, Knowledge, Symbol, Graphics, Icon, Nature, Generative, Technology, Digital Art, Processing, Arduino, Center.

This paper presents the motivation, background, and implementation of Living Mandala: The Cosmic of Being, an interactive graphics installation that combines real-time data, multi-cultural mandalas, scientific imagery, cosmological symbols, and sound. Built with an open source programming language and environment, this living contemporary symbol is an exploration into uncharted territories of the human soul sculpted by our present time. Its interactive revolving graphical system visualizes our perceptions of life (microcosm) and the universe (macrocosm), our connections to ancient mythology, cosmology, and cultural heritage, and the relationships among humankind, science, technology, and nature in a globalized society. Merging cultural traces – art, history, science, and technology – this living organism alters every moment, responding to the movement, color, light, sound, and temperature of its surroundings. Following ancient quests, it separates indigenous mandalas from traditional cultural context to build one that is contemporary and universal.