Background: There are diverse ways for human to tap into sunlight for drying. Apart from removing moisture and dampness, sun-drying garments and bedding also benefit from the germicidal properties of ultraviolet rays in sunlight. For instance, exposing sun-drying quilts to sunlight, which can effectively kill bacteria and microorganisms on the surface, thus reducing the risk of infection and disease transmission. Sun-drying fish and shrimp is a common food processing method aimed at moisture removal, extending shelf life, and enhancing texture and flavor. During the sun-drying process, crystallization often occurs: in the sun-drying process of sea fish, the forming of salt crystals can be observed, while sugar-rich foods like fruits and dried fruits may exhibit sugar crystallization. Additionally, certain fruits or vegetables, particularly those containing Vitamin C, may undergo crystallization as water evaporates, forming minute crystals. The principle of sun-drying has even been employed in image formation, such as the classical photographic technique known as cyanotype, which is developed and applied by English photography pioneer Anna Atkins in the early 19th century. Cyanotype relies on the photosensitivity of iron salts, with the most commonly used chemical being ammonium iron (III) citrate (also known as ammonium ferric citrate), which undergoes a chemical reaction when exposed to light, resulting in the formation of blue ferric ferrocyanide.

Concept: Nothing New Under the Sun showcases a collection of items hung on a set of bamboo poles, encompassing and blurring various actions such as sun-drying and dehydration. The bamboo poles bear an assortment of articles, including sun-dried clothes, quilts, trousers, as well as seaweed, dried fish, ham, sausages, and other food. However, a series of juxtapositions occurs: crystals grow on the quilts, botanical images emerge through cyanotype on the quilts...

Procedure: The set of bamboo poles serves as a platform of spotlight for showcasing ecological materials. It features sun-dried garments made of thin porcelain and bio-plastic leather crafted from plasticized seaweed. Glass containers hang from the bamboo poles, housing a chemically grown garden. The bamboo tubes are connected through glass and plastic tubing, constituting a circulating system which is driven by a peristaltic pump for water circulation.