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Dossier
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The past has said goodbye to us |
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Beijing artist Ou Ning on progress, the Olympic Games and the elimination of tradition |
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bpb: Where do you see the main improvements by modernization and city growth for the people?
Ou Ning: Modernization and urbanization have largely changed people's spirits and views. With strong economic drive, the government confiscates more rural land for city development or introduces new urban planning for old city areas. This process is entangled with severe conflict of interests and views. Peoples' consciousness of their rights become stronger in such a rapidly changing age. They get more involved in public affairs to protect their own
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For the moment, the demolition in Da Zha Lan goes on
Photo: Ou Ning
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interests. They demand to build a justified and equal society. Citizens dare to criticize the government's urban planning policies more and more and fight for their rights when inequity happens in the compensation process of confiscation and relocation. A citizen society that spontaneously supervises the city with a sense of self-identity and ownership, though with lots of trouble in the beginning, is forming steadily. This will be the most important achievement for China.
bpb: Beijing will host the Olympic Games in 2008. Will this huge event only imply new constructions sites like the Olympic Park? Or will it change the urban mentality of people in Beijing as well?
Ou Ning: The 2008 Olympics will be an accelerator for Beijing's urbanization. It has not only brought symbolic architecture but also stimulated Beijing’s real estate market and increased the prices. It has not only improved the city's air quality and transportation but also brought more population. It has not only aroused the taxi drivers' passion to learn English but also made IT, media and creative industry hot careers. It's a huge opportunity for China's central government to rebuild the nation's identity in the age of globalization. It also comes as a political opportunity to exchange criticism. Nevertheless, the upcoming Olympics will not only increase Beijingers' confidence hundreds of times but also indulge Chinese people into crazy imagination of the dragon's resurrection and the dream of a super nation in the 21st century.
bpb: Besides Beijing, China has one more booming mega city: Shanghai. What are the main differences in terms of growth and urban development between the two cities?
Ou Ning: Shanghai is an economic city. It doesn't have an obvious center in its urban planning. Beijing is a political city. As the center of power in China, it's expanded with ring roads surrounding the imperial palace. Shanghai's urban area has smaller roads, denser road nets, better traffic conditions for walking. Beijing features large roads as the backbones of transportation with less density of regional roads. Traffic jams happen often and there is little space for pedestrians. Shanghai cherishes western values with a strong commercial atmosphere. It's devoted to continuing the spiritual heritage from early capitalism and keep a fresh image in today’s global competition. Also on the path to internationalization, Beijing still believes in the enormous power of tradition and its prospects of regeneration. It has values of more variety and interests with a booming cultural industry. Shanghai stays at a secondary place in view of politics with a relatively conservative attitude and limited space for political development. Beijing is China's political center. The important organs of the nation are all here. Thus, it's magnificent and it can decide on China's destiny.
bpb: Mr. Ou Ning, what do you like most about Beijing?
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The Liangshidian street in Da Zha Lan
Photo: Ou Ning
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Ou Ning: Beijing's casual and frank personality is my favorite. To live here means thatI can follow my heart without chasing after the latest trend and unified standards. In Beijing, you can live isolated or join as many social networks as you can. No matter what kind of person you are, what kind of life you live, nobody will consider you strange and bother you. In addition, Beijing keeps both its old traits and develops new ones at the same time. This conflict is very charming. It brings inspiration and passion to your life everyday. This is the main reason why I moved from Guangzhou to Beijing last year.
Further information: Da Zha Lan Project
Interview by Sonja Ernst
Translated from Chinese by April Zhang
14. November 2007 |
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