Disclaimer: I have been so wrapped up with finals and other miscellaneous work that I have been slacking on documentation since Week 9 so hopefully this will get everyone up to date with what I’ve been working on regarding my final project.
Partners: Queenie Hsiao and Michelle Xu
As three Asians raised with the tradition of having our fortunes read in Chinese temples, praying at altars with burning incense, and being influenced by Buddhist beliefs, Queenie, Michelle, and I decided to create a project that would introduce the Chinese fortune-telling experience to those who may not have experienced it before, while also sharing our cultural heritage with those who interact with our work.
We wanted our project to temporarily transport the user to a moment in our lives, where they could experience an intricately decorated shrine, adorned with plates of offerings like oranges and peaches, surrounded by the delicate smoke of incense, with the sounds of quiet chanting echoing in the background.
Kau Chim: This method involves drawing lots from a bamboo container. The practitioner shakes the container and lets a set of sticks fall out. Each stick has a number that corresponds to a specific fortune or oracle, and the fortune is interpreted based on these numbers.
Jiao Bei: This method uses two small, flat stones, often referred to as "moon rocks," which are thrown to the ground. The way the stones land—whether flat or on their edges—provides insight into the fortune of the person seeking advice.
The user interacts with a cornell box in the shape of a Chinese altar and designed to resemble a traditional Chinese temple, creating an immersive experience that transports them to a sacred space. The screen in the altar invites them to select one of five symbolic food offerings, each inspired by traditional Chinese Buddhist temple practices: