Kite Project: A History of Kites 1

Kite Project: 

A History of Kites 

History of Chinese Kites

The kite from WeiFang entered history abaout 1000 years ago and was part of the territory of the ancient Warrying Empires. The city of WeiFang had been a main centre of kite building since the Ming- and Qing-Dynasties. Since 1984 the city is hosting the largest international kite festival on earth. It usually takes place in the midst of springtime at the end of April. In 1988 WeiFang had been declared the Capital City of Kites. With the foundation of the World Kite Federation (WKF) a year later.

http://www.chinakites.org/htm/fzls-gb.htm

Chinese kites may be differentiated into four main categories: 

•  Centipede- or Skolopender Kites (derived from ancient Greek centipede
•  Hard Winged Kites
•  Soft Winged Kites or
•  Flat Kites. 

Examples of Chinese kites:

 Centipede Kite 

Hard Winged Kite

Soft Winged Kite 

Flat Kite 

http://www.chinakites.org/htm/K3-gb.htm

Kite Project: Brief & Outline of the project

Kite project

Project description

This project re-addresses the potential of sculptures set in the night sky.Inspired by traditional ancient Chinese kite making which evolved due to readily available materials like silk and bamboo to the many other cultures that used kite flying for celebrations, communication, human flight, science and military

applications. This project asks you to address kite designing and building as artists; exploiting kite making properties to create an engaging visual spectacle which will take place at night.

"During this project I will address the potential and idea's behind creating a sculpture to be set and explored in the night sky. this project if initially inspired by traditional kite making. kites can be flown for multiple reasons and during this project I will explore reasons for the creation of certain kites"

Things to consider:

• Will my kite be inspired by existing kite cultures/sub-cultures or are will th einspiration for my kite be drawn from other sources? 

• How will the kite appear in the night sky? 

• Will my kite glow, flash nonstop or will it require a particular trigger to react? 

• Is it reflective of other surrounding light or does it fade into the darkness? 

• Does it transform,create an optical illusion or does it self destruct? Is it predatory or is it destined to fail? 

• Is it part of a group of other kites or does it copy-cat the other kites? 

• What existing kite design is appropriate for for my idea developement?

• Will My kite require speed,high altitude flying, maneuverability, to be able to pull heavy loads?

• What materials will I use?