Automaton: 武曌
Inspired by the self-chosen name of China's only woman emperor, this hand-cranked automaton explores identity, power, and self-determination through motion and mechanical storytelling.
Wu Zetian was known by several names throughout her life. One was given to her by her first husband, another—"Zetian"—became the name most people know her by after she ascended to power. 曌 (Zhào) was different: it was a character she created for herself. Combining the symbols for the sun, moon, and sky, the character suggests the sun and moon shining together overhead. Traditionally, the sun represents yang and masculinity, while the moon represents yin and femininity. Together, they symbolize harmony between the two and reflect Wu Zetian's authority over all her subjects, regardless of gender.
The automaton is built from two large gears, five smaller gears, and a cam mechanism that causes the empress to rise and fall as the piece turns. The smaller gears drive both the cam and two semi-transparent gears representing the sun and moon. Thin threads connect the empress's arms to the outer edges of these gears, causing her gestures to shift in tandem with their rotation.
Both the empress and the celestial bodies are rendered in translucent materials as an homage to traditional Chinese shadow puppetry (皮影戏). The figure's design is based on historical depictions of Wu Zetian, while the patterns incorporated into her clothing draw from traditional Chinese decorative motifs. Through movement, light, and layered imagery, the piece brings Wu Zetian's self-fashioned symbol to life.
Inspired by the self-chosen name of China's only woman emperor, this hand-cranked automaton explores identity, power, and self-determination through motion and mechanical storytelling.
Wu Zetian was known by several names throughout her life. One was given to her by her first husband, another—"Zetian"—became the name most people know her by after she ascended to power. 曌 (Zhào) was different: it was a character she created for herself. Combining the symbols for the sun, moon, and sky, the character suggests the sun and moon shining together overhead. Traditionally, the sun represents yang and masculinity, while the moon represents yin and femininity. Together, they symbolize harmony between the two and reflect Wu Zetian's authority over all her subjects, regardless of gender.
The automaton is built from two large gears, five smaller gears, and a cam mechanism that causes the empress to rise and fall as the piece turns. The smaller gears drive both the cam and two semi-transparent gears representing the sun and moon. Thin threads connect the empress's arms to the outer edges of these gears, causing her gestures to shift in tandem with their rotation.
Both the empress and the celestial bodies are rendered in translucent materials as an homage to traditional Chinese shadow puppetry (皮影戏). The figure's design is based on historical depictions of Wu Zetian, while the patterns incorporated into her clothing draw from traditional Chinese decorative motifs. Through movement, light, and layered imagery, the piece brings Wu Zetian's self-fashioned symbol to life.