Visiting Architect and Artist Huiru Huang
​at her home in Aarhus  Ø

Text and photography by Nora Benz | October 2021 

The work of Huiru Huang is a good example for the confluence of architecture and art as well as a reflection of the fluid transition between the two disciplines. In her Master’s project proposal Architecturalize Greenland, Re-envisioning Marmorilik Mining Landscape, Huiru takes an artistic approach towards future landscape architecture. Before she moved to Copenhagen, Articulate payed her a visit at her home in Aarhus Ø.

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​"I think a lot of problems that I found during my architecture research are worth more attention and are something that the society should be aware of. I feel like art is a good approach to these problems and also to my architecture proposals."

We just started talking about regarding oneself as artist …
- Yes, I mean, I was officially educated as an architect and last winter I got my Master’s degree in Architecture. However, during the study process I found my approach more on the artistic side. I think a lot of problems that I found during my architecture research are worth more attention and are something that the society should be aware of. I feel like art is a good approach to these problems and also to my architecture proposals.

In your Master’s project proposal about re-envisioning marmorilik mining landscapes in Greenland you also consider the role of artists. Can you elaborate on that a little bit more? 
​- My proposal includes art residencies. Because of the ice, the landscape in Greenland is quite unique. The melting of it also reflects the change in climate we are facing around the world right now. In my proposal I use art residencies as a tool to bring more attention to the place and the fragile ecosystem, always having in mind the overall idea of protecting the landscape.

What specific role do you think can the artists play in protecting the environment? 
​- They play a particular role because it is not possible for everyone to visit this landscape in person. Through making art more people can see what there is and also get a sense for the value of the landscape. Art gets the essence from the place and transmits the message through art works to the world. In addition, art is also a way of documenting what we are going through right now.

Do you want to continue working with marble mining?
​- Yes, that is definitely something that I would like to continue. I can see a lot of potential in the project proposal. Not only in the sense that it would hopefully be realized one day. But it is already getting some attention. Like with my recent exhibition at KH7 artspace as part of Aarhus Artspace 2021. My proposal is also nominated for a ministerial competition - I am very glad to be part of that.

Could you also imagine working with marble in a more artistic way?
​- Yes, definitely. I am very interested in sculptures. Working with these materials just seems so perfect. The original idea of my project proposal was also that the artists can work with their materials while getting inspired by the landscape in Greenland. I personally find the landscape very inspiring.

Have you already explored sculpturing in any way?
​- The models that I made for my Master's project proposal were a form of sculpturing. They are slightly different from what you would usually call an architectural model because they are not very precise. I basically made the three sites that I explore in the area in my proposal: the town, the new mine and the bridges. During the process of making these models I really got a feeling of how the landscape was formed. The modeling process was also helpful with regard to seeking the language of the landscape and finding a form as well as a response of my interference into this landscape.

What material did you use for these models?
- Clay, it was air drying clay.

What did it feel like to make the models ?
​- It was actually very satisfying. You can see that they are really smooth. The models are completely white because the whole landscape is covered in marble and of course the ice is also white. It was a really fun and satisfying process. I am really looking forward to sculpturing more, using different materials.

You are also a photographer from time to time. What role does photography play for you?
​- For me taking pictures is a way of extracting what I see in my surroundings and a way of capturing moments. I often feel the urge to create something. However, then I rather do water color and pencil, like charcoal. I think as a next step I really would like to work with sculptures. I recently had this idea to work with wax because I like the texture when you shape the form. Imagine if you work with wax in the same way you do with a stone, using the same tools like when sculpturing stone. Apart from that I am also very interested in installation art. Like I mentioned before, I have learned a lot of new aspects about our lives and our society and I would like to share these findings with other people. I think installation art would be a great medium for that. People could also have interactive experiences with the installation. So that’s the next project I have in mind.

Do you also want to explore the medium of film more in this regard? I saw you already did a film with Lasse Rønne for your Master’s project proposal. 
- Yes, actually I have another idea with this project. Because in the Greenland project there is a journey, a storyline, a narrative I am talking about. I think making a film could be a good way to show and tell this story. Because of the music and movement you have in a film you can really set the atmosphere right.

Do you always have a concrete idea and structure of your work before you start? 
​- That’s very hard to say. If I already know the message I want to transmit then I guess my work is structured. But I think most of the time it is very hard to structure it beforehand. When I do architectural work I always need an analysis first. And after finding the problem I can propose a solution. But when I do art it’s most often just doing and following my flow and intuition. Probably also because, at least until now, I haven’t done a lot of art as a means to express myself. Maybe it’s about expressing my aesthetics. Is this the same as expressing myself? Anyways, until now it was never about emotions. Maybe that’s because of my architectural background.

This is actually my next question: How do you think your architectural education and practice influence your art and vice versa?
​- First of all, I think architecture made my art less self-centered. It also helped me with setting up my aesthetics. I think that my art making process is more organized and less chaotic. I also believe art is important as process to help me make my architecture. Architecture is more rational but sometimes I have all these irrational thoughts and feelings that I don’t know how to express in terms of architectural work. Then I just create something with any medium to get this energy out. In a next step, I see what it has become and look how, or if at all, it is valuable for my architectural projects. I also think that art is a tool for me to continue my architectural approach and make it more accessible.

In your instagram biography you have this beautiful sentence “Art in life and mind“. Can you explain that a little bit more?
- I care a lot about the environment around me and I observe my surroundings quite extensively. I also always find something when I go somewhere and observe. That’s maybe why I say art in life. And it’s just in my mind.

During your Greenland project you worked here, in your flat/room and at the Architecture School in Aarhus. How did you like working in these two spaces? Do you think one space would have been better or did you like having two work spaces?
​- I guess I liked having two spaces. Sometimes, when I could not concentrate in one I could just switch to the other. I also need personal space and want to be alone sometimes. I am often submerged into my own universe so I think my home is a good place in order to get that personal space. It was also during the last lockdown when I finished my Master‘s project. That’s why I also spent a lot of time in my room. The good thing about it was or is that in your own room you are able to organize and design your surroundings exactly like you want to. Like I said, I care about my surroundings a lot so it is important for me to be able to set up everything how it fits perfectly for me and my work. In a studio at school which you share with other students you can’t really do that.

You just said you need time alone when working. Music can also be an accompany. Does music distract you or do you like working with music? 
​- Music is a really important part for me and it helps me in a way to get both, concentrated and inspired.

Do you have a favorite part/corner/thing in your room?
​- Yes, I think my chair. It is in the corner and when I sit in it I am surrounded by the walls. And there is a lamp light coming from above that makes it feel very safe, warm and cozy in that corner. When I sit there, I have the view over my whole room but can also look out of the window.

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​“The city of Paris gives a lot of support to artists. So during my time there I learned that it is a possibility to make a living as an artist. I think that was very encouraging for me as well.“

Last year you did a six-months internship in Paris at MDP Michel Desvigne Paysagiste, a landscape architect and urban planning office. How did you like living in Paris and how did the city influence you and your work?
- The biggest influence was that after I returned from Paris I found my aesthetics to be more solid. I was more sure about my aesthetics and my architectural approach. I liked Paris a lot. But I also like the cold climate here. And that the energy in Scandinavia is more calm. That’s also why I chose Greenland for my Master’s project I guess.

What have you been recently working on?
​- I have recently worked on a landscape project in a small town near Brussels in Belgium. It was a collaboration offered by a small studio in which we designed a rose park. We worked with the cliché of the rose garden but turned it around. It was a competition so I don’t know yet if it is gonna be built. But it was a lot of fun. I am also currently helping with another landscape project here in Denmark which is however not finished yet. It is also about gardening and is going into a more artistic direction which is exciting. I feel really lucky that I can continue working with an artistic approach, something I feel quite confident with. 

What are your next plans? Do you want to continue your studies or rather start a job?
​- I am not planning to continue studying at the moment. I feel like I am ready and excited to do stuff with the approaches that I have developed. So I am looking for a job.

What would your dream job look like?
​- Three days being an architect and two days being an artist. When I was in Paris, one of my colleagues worked half time at the office and half time as artist doing oil paintings. It was an inspiring experience for me to see that one can actually live like that. The city of Paris gives a lot of support to artists. So during my time there I learned that it is a possibility to make a living as an artist. I think that was very encouraging for me as well.

Take a closer look at Huiru‘s work
Instagram 
Master's project proposal - Architecturalize Greenland