Beijing's Forbidden
City or Palace Museum, the 584-year-old imperial palace that
was the residence of 24 of China's emperors, is the largest and
most integrated palatial compound in the world. It is currently
being renovated in stages and, as one can imagine, the renovation
works are of imperial proportions. So, too, are the challenges
faced by those tasked with its refurbishment and repair.
Imperial facelift for Juanqin Zhai
The repair of Juanqin Zhai is proving to be the most challenging
since works began in 2001. Juanqin Zhai was the retirement complex
of Emperor Qianlong (1711-1799) in the Qing Dynasty, and was the
most luxuriously decorated during Qianlong's reign.
Unfortunately, its repair has also taken on a "luxurious"
flavor.
"Its repair involves the most sophisticated craftsmanship and
technology," said Cao Jinglou, director of the Sci-Tech Department
of the Cultural Relics Protection of the Forbidden City.
The most distinguished palace carpenter Zhao Chongmao has passed
away, and painters Wang Zhongjie and Bu Xuelin are already in their
70s. They have been invited to help with the repair project, but
more as consultants. The actual work is being done by migrant
workers who have received only basic training.
To Wang and Bu, young craftsmen lack a deeper understanding of
traditional culture. Their workmanship and management are poor
despite the fact that they might be more educated. They also lack
the motivation to continually improve themselves, whether it's
perfecting their plane-ing or masonry skills.
Older or veteran artisans are hard-pressed to find talented
youth worthy to be their apprentices. Bu said he has had only two
apprentices in recent years.
The repair of Juanqin Zhai is a test-case of sorts. The repairs
that have to be done are so complicated and intricate, particularly
repairs involving specially processed bricks, the caisson murals
and the Xianlou opera stage. A success here will bode well for
repairs to other parts of the imperial palace, as far as methods
and processes are concerned.
According to Cao, the Gaoli wallpaper in the complex, which is
solid and has anti-humidity properties, will be replaced by a
mulberry (bark) paper, jointly produced by the China Paper Research
Institute and four paper mills in central China's Anhui
Province.
The highly demanding tabasheer, or bamboo works, will be
undertaken by an artisan who was found after a massive "man-hunt"
through Sichuan,
Zhejiang
and Hunan
provinces.
The repair/renovation project is expected to be completed by
2020. This project is the biggest ever for the Forbidden City since
its last renovation in 1911. The first stage of the project will be
completed before the 2008 Olympics.
(China.org.cn by Guo Xiaohong, June 16, 2005)