Sculptures on a Beijing street. (Image: China Pictorial)
Urban Sculptures Reflect Beijing’s Past and Present
18th April 2007, 11:15 GMT
[Click for a bigger view]Sculptures on a Beijing street. (Image: China Pictorial)
Sculptures on a Beijing street. (Image: China Pictorial)
This article is a contribution from China Pictorial
Since all the articles in From Chinese Media section are contributions, Radio86 is not responsible for their content. The editors of Radio86 do not necessarily share the same views or endorse the opinions expressed in these articles.
Since all the articles in From Chinese Media section are contributions, Radio86 is not responsible for their content. The editors of Radio86 do not necessarily share the same views or endorse the opinions expressed in these articles.
The Lingering Camel On the north side of Beijing’s Fuchengmen Overpass is a distinctive array of sculptures. A simply-clad old man squats by a coal-filled basket, smoking and resting. Keeping him company are several camels, standing and crouching. Not far from these bronze figures, the vehicles of the day shuttle along roads interlacing at the overpass.
Children are naturally attracted to these metallic humped beasts. Many are minded by their grandparents as they joyously mount the camels, leap off and mount again. In contrast to the modern surroundings, these sculptures seem to tell a tale of the past.
According to historical records, the Mentougou and Fangshan areas in western Beijing were abundant with coal, and during the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1911), it was via this place that the coal was transported by camels from the western suburbs to the capital. Early morning each day, a long procession of camels carrying willow baskets loaded with coal blocks and wearing tinkling bells made their way as part of a magnificent procession to the city.
These camels, specialized to their task, were thus known as “coal camels.” The sculptures at Fuchengmen today represent the scenes of those years, but few if any of the children at play know or care of this historical fact.
The “Tianqiao Eight”
Senior residents of Beijing hold old memories of Tianqiao. Folk artists of the past would earn their living telling stories, juggling, and performing traditional operas in Tianqiao, close to the Temple of Heaven. Eight of those, collectively known as the “Tianqiao Eight,” created a sensation with their extraordinary stunts, strange appearance and bizarre behavior. Among them were “Golden Tooth,” a raree show player; “Pock Cao,” a humorous story teller; Zhu Shaowen, founder of one-person comic dialogue; “Braid Wang,” a flag pole performer; “Third Shen,” a master wrestler; “Silly Cheng,” an acrobat and director of a bear show and a pagoda of bowls; “Foolish Chang,” a rock smasher; and Guan Dejun, who on stage would disguise himself as a donkey with various home-made props.Today, in honor of the performers, a sculpture complex devoted to the “Tianqiao Eight” is located on the original site of Tianqiao, adjacent Beiwei Road in the north and Tianqiao Theatre in the west. In lifelike shape and appearance, the sculptures represent a unique historical view of old Beijing and the figures rekindle fond memories of Tianqiao.
History Honored
Copper sculptures in front of the century-old Tong Sheng He Shoe Shop on Wangfujing Pedestrian Street. (Image: China Pictorial)Founded in 1903, Dong’an Market was the first officially-run market in Beijing. Today, on the same site, Sun Dong An Plaza exhibits a very modern look near the north end of Wangfujing Pedestrian Street. In front of the plaza are three sets of sculptures, known as “Xiangzi Driving a Rickshaw,” “The Barber,” and “Music Player,” respectively. The sculptures add a unique look to the bustling commercial scene and have drawn the attention of countless domestic and international tourists.
Based on the prototype of the hero in the novel, Rickshaw Boy, attributed to late writer Lao She, “Xiangzi Driving a Rickshaw” is a life-size black iron sculpture, and countless tourists have sat for photos on the rickshaw. “The Barber” and “Music Player” were modeled after scenes depicted in photos of the past Dong’an Market. All these sculptures bring back in sight and spirit a bit of old Beijing
Present Portrayed
In the park along the remaining sections of the imperial city wall are various sculptures representing modern life. One of these depicts a girl seated on a chair concentrating on the laptop which rests on her knees. More interesting, an old man in a traditional-style cap looks over the girl’s shoulder, with a puzzled expression conveying his curiosity in this modern equipment. Through these two representations of different generations, the sculpture skillfully blends today and yesterday, leaving viewers to imagine and interpret.
Today and Tomorrow. (Image: China Pictorial)Inspired by varied facets of life, more colorful sculptures have appeared along the streets. A group of figures devoted to migrant workers, for example, show the perplexity, puzzlement, and hardships of farmers migrating to the city for fortune, honoring them for their contributions as the nation enters an era of modern industrial civilization.
There are also many sculptures devoted to people and things beyond China, as well as abstract subjects. Typical traits of modern Chinese society, economic integration and cultural exchange are also reflected by these urban works of art.
Of particular note, most of Beijing’s streetside sculptures were created by talented professional artists, and these are of great value. As the 2008 Olympics approaches, more sculptures representing sports subjects have appeared, and the spirit and drive to the Olympics gains further momentum in the city.
Textsource: China Pictorial
Author: Wang Yongqiang and Zhang Dongwei
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