Contemporary and Fake Chinese Architecture in Xi’an City
Blue Sky? Yes, we have blue sky all year round, probably because Xi’an economy is based on tourism, telecommunication and software and not manufacturing, with only a few factories operating in the province, the weather in Xi’an is really nice, unlike Chengdu (unimaginable) and Shanghai. According to Wikipedia:
Xi’an is one of the oldest cities in Chinese history, Xi’an is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China because it has been the capital (under various names) of some of the most important dynasties in Chinese history, Xi’an is the eastern terminus of the Silk Road and known as the site of the Terracotta Army, made during the Qin Dynasty.
Visiting China is pretty much like playing a ‘Fake or Real’ game show, one have to constantly be reminded whether the architecture is an imitation of the past. I’ve come to conclude that the only way to distinguish a genuine past architecture from an imitation is as simple as to find out if an entrance fee is required, or if the sculptures are fenced up. If Adolf Loos’ idea of ornament is a crime, then imitation of the past is an even bigger crime.
Having said that, I came across a few interesting contemporary Chinese Architecture, the image above is the main entrance/security gate for a condominium in the heart of the city, well, contemporary is not quite the right word, at least it is a step towards something slightly different or fusion of modern and past.
A similar sight throughout China is the sea of people; everywhere you go there bound to be people, more people and even more people. It is almost impossible to breath, let alone stop and admire the beauty of the city, passerby are likely to shove as you walk down the stairs, as you enter the train, even when you’re browsing through books in the bookshop. Even when it comes to taxi, it doesn’t matter who waived for the taxi, the minute the taxi stop by the road side waiting for you to board the car, someone from somewhere would pop up in thin air and open the door, not for you, but for himself and off he/she goes. It’s a dog eat dog world.
Public parks, something absent in most of Malaysia’s cities, yes, blame it on the weather. Chinese people loves park, just like the Europeans and Americans, parks can be found everywhere and the best thing about these parks, they are generally within walking distance, no security or fence, it is after all, a park for the people.
During night fall, jazz music is played till late into the night. I saw a group of people, young and old, dancing and singing. It was an eye opening experience for me; parks are utilized to its fullest, unlike Malaysia, where it’s an ornament in the city.
In situation like the image shown above, Malaysian’s authority are known for solving it with a chain saw, then sell the timber and pocket the money.
Muslim travelers take note, Xian has a town/street called Beiyuan Islamic Street, basically every food found at that location are halal. The communities are made up of Chinese Muslims.
Don’t be fooled by its architecture, the image shown above is a brand new shopping mall, for a moment I thought it was an ancient architecture from the past renovated for today’s need. Sadly, it is an imitation of the past. Well, at least it is a pedestrian friendly mall.
With a history of 3000 years, and known to be the only surviving ancient civilization in the world, China has no shortage of bronze sculptures littered across the entire country, I like the idea of having sculptures in an urban space, it sort of animate the place, it tells a story, kind of like adding depth and souls into the city’s context.
Apart from architecture, the trip was meant to be a business trip, my uncle and his business partners met up with some officials, we had lunch in a very very very exclusive restaurant. Very awkward moment indeed, a traditional Chinese round table for 20 people with an automatic inner movable glass top decorated with a miniature model of traditional Chinese garden, and its decorated with a mini fountain and lake. Awkward.
With a GDP of 8 – 10%, China is growing at a pace far too fast; blocks and blocks of old buildings and neighborhoods are torn down for redevelopment. Given a choice between development and preserving history, I choose history.
Trevor Howells once said, our architecture is a diary that is written in mud and timber, in brick and stone, in iron and steel, in concrete and glass. Our homes, our public buildings and cities reflect what we are, what we once were – and what we hope to become. Coming up – Chengdu City
Tags: Architecture, China, China Muslims, Chinese, Contemporary Chinese Architecture, Shaanxi Province, Xi'an Province, Xian
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Beijing 2008 Olympics Celebration
We had a small gathering last weekend, celebrating the Beijing 2008 Olympics, the opening ceremony was amazing and I find it too educational, possibly too much Chinese communist propaganda.
Basically the opening ceremony is a summary of 5000 years of Chinese civilization, I knew the Chinese invented paper and gun power, but was surprised to learn that block printing was a Chinese invention. That’s new for me. Gun powder, paper, and block printing was the key ingredient that catapulted the Europeans to world domination, and the Chinese could only think of fireworks and paintings? No wonder the panda bear is China’s national icon, a claw-less bear.
Who is the handsome guy in green? hmm, I wonder.
Eugene is a heavy sleeper, he is wide awake when he drinks and falls asleep like a log when he is not drunk. Shouldn’t it be the other way around?
I think Ben live by the code – When we drink, we get drunk. When we get drunk, we fall asleep. When we fall asleep, we commit no sin. When we commit no sin, we go to heaven. So, let’s all get drunk and go to heaven!
Now, some comments on the biggest communist propaganda on planet earth!
Image Source: CNN
The cute little girl and her song during the opening ceremony was not what we heard, Lin (right) was lip-syncing to the sound of another girl, 7-year-old Yang Peiyi (Left), who was heard but not seen, apparently because she was deemed not cute enough.
“The reason was for the national interest,” said Chen Qigang, the ceremony’s musical director, in a state radio interview. “The child on camera should be flawless in image, internal feeling and expression. … Lin Miaoke is excellent in those aspects.”
The decision was made at the highest levels, Chen said.
“We had to do it,” he said. “We’d been through several inspections. They’re all very strict. When we rehearsed at the spot, there were several spectators from various divisions, especially leaders from the Politburo, who gave the opinion it must change.” – Source: CNN
That is so sad and hypocritical; this will permanently damage the child’s psyche for life. This little girl will always know that she was not chosen because she is not cute enough.
As always, out of 1 million sperms, these types of idiot made it. Leaders with such shallow mentality, I proposed a tic for tac situation, from today onwards, all future president of China should be flawless in image, the current and past presidents are not cute/handsome enough!
For your information Mr.Chairman Hu, that little girl (Yang Peiyi) is not messed up; she is artistically arranged – differently!
Image Source: CNN
The passing of the national flag from the small kids to the adults was interesting, it makes me wonder if the director was intentionally sending some kind of hidden message. The director – Zhang Yimou is well known for his out spoken criticism on the Chinese government in most of his films.
It appears as if 52 innocent kids (Citizens) walking gently, smiling all the way, waving and out came the adults, took their flags and rob them of their rights. Probably it is just me. Anyway, instead of explaining to the whole world how wonderful China and her great wall are, the communist government should be tossing bricks—to break down the walls that box in the entire nation.
Tags: Australia, Beijing 2008 Olympics, Celebration, China, Opening Ceremony, Perth, Steamboat
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