LAND PROJECT
_CHINA 2011
"LAND." is a collection of conceptual furniture pieces that connect geography, memory, and function.
Initiated in 2011, the LAND PROJECT_CHINA aims to capture the fleeting nature of Beijing's transformation. Each piece in this collection serves as a time capsule, offering a tangible narrative of a city in flux.
Our first piece, '1 Square Meter_Low Table' (2011), defined the direction of the project. This low tea table holds one square meter of soil and artefacts from Beigao, a demolished area in Beijing. The transparent acrylic box, set on a wood base, reveals layers of history – broken roof tiles, cups, bricks, and tree roots – preserved exactly as found, inviting viewers to contemplate the layers of time and human influence compressed within.
'Empire of Dust' (2012) furthers this theme. This low tea table incorporates soil and found objects from the demolished Cuigezhuang village, including broken bricks, bent rebar, and even a discarded fibreglass sculpture. The mild steel base, left to develop a natural patina from Beijing's rain, reflects the city's environmental conditions.
'Untitled (The Flag)' (2012) and 'Pipe Dream' (2012) shift the focus to the common construction materials used in Beijing's rapid development. These pieces – a chair and a daybed, respectively – use mild steel pipes, bamboo poles, and even a red plastic bag, transforming ordinary items into evocative designs.
By incorporating pieces of Beijing into functional objects, we create tangible connections between different spaces, cultures, and experiences. Every grain of soil and every discarded object holds the stories of Beijing – its ancient past, its bustling present, and the countless lives that have intersected with these materials.
The juxtaposition of raw earth and construction debris with refined furniture design challenges our views on value and aesthetics. It prompts us to consider: What makes a place significant? How do we carry the essence of a location with us? Can we truly carry the spirit of a place?
"LAND" also comments on the commercialisation of culture and the nature of souvenirs. Unlike typical mementoes, these pieces contain actual fragments of Beijing, blurring the line between artefact and functional object. They encourage daily interaction, allowing users to physically connect with a piece of Beijing in their own space, fostering a unique intimacy with a distant land and erasing geographical boundaries in our globalised world.
Through the LAND PROJECT_CHINA, we hope to provoke contemplation about our relationship to place, the nature of borders, and the materiality of memory. It is a testament to the power of earth and urban debris, not just as physical substances but as carriers of identity, history, and human connection. By capturing the essence of contemporary China, we invite viewers to reflect on the broader implications of rapid urbanisation and the impermanent nature of our constructed environment.
