A village for time traveling
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Traditional Chinese homecrafts. |
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A classic-style room in the village. Photos: Nick Muzyczka |
"The project is certainly focusing on roots, but not necessarily national roots - it's more like a folk movement," Daniel Szechin Ho, the managing editor of the online art magazine Randian, told the Global Times. "Hu has also said that he wants this to become an example for rich people all over the country in terms of what to spend their money on."
While the project is certainly admirable and well executed, it remains to be seen what will come of Si Min Hui Guan. Hu was a little sketchy on the future and suggested that the project as a whole will continue to evolve organically.
The question as to whether it can achieve its goals is a difficult one. It is doubtful, for example, whether it is possible for many with a modern mind-set to authentically engage with ritualistic practices from the past. It is obviously possible to go through the motions - but if this is all it is, then the purpose is questionable.
That said, Hu's project is already a success for a number of reasons, not least for its focus on creating community bonds, its discerning approach to architecture, and for providing facilities for reflection and creativity.
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