Displacement

Working as an architectural designer in China, I take notice to plenty of construction happening and also equally as much displacement. At the moement, there are two major displacements occurring along Wei Hai Road in the Jin An district, not too far from my office.

The former Minlin Middle School in the distance

The first is the Minli Middle School built circa 1920 and donated by the Qiu family who were wealthy socialites. When it was time to redevelop the area as Dazhongli, the government literally put the whole building on rails and moved it brick by brick from the center of the construction site, to the edge of the road. Supposedly, the school yard's centenarian Magnolia tree was moved as well--but I didn't get up close. Alas, this is how an architecturally significant period piece survived among major development.

696 Weihai Road

The second does not have so happy an ending. It involves the eviction of countless tenants, mostly artists, photographers and LGBT residents from the enclave at 696 Weihai Road which has been used as working studios, galleries, and community centers. The area is run-down, dingy, dark, and a little scary at night. In other words: authentic. They are old buildings with low rent that creatives and non-profits can afford.  According to a WSJ article, this enclave is the only non-government owned creative cluster in Shanghai unlike the more well-known Redtown and M50. However, after seeing the traffic that 696 was recieving, the government wished to 'develop' this area as well in to a branded creative center. Most residents are outraged because even if they are 'invited' back after the renovation, their rent will undoubtedly be much higher than they can afford. Others see it as a breach on creative freedom and an instutionalization of art. To the contrary of the WSJ article, the farewell party actually took place on April 30th as a collective open house and the final eviction on May 20th. Yeah, it was awhile ago, but it took me until now to load and post the photos to share with you (my most appreciated readers).

Second Floor Corridor decorated with hand-drawn motifs

Ground Floor Corridor

Painting of a hung artist that continues to play

Laser -cutting studio

Maliang's photography studio all packed up. 

 For a look at the recreated installation of his studio, see my earlier post on the Shanghai Biennale here. And for examples of Maliang's ( also Maleonn in English) work and thinking, see his article for Camera Obscura here.

Maliang and Me

Me and Cheryl

Refreshments at the Farewell Open House

The neighboring lane on Wei Hai road.

So here's to a new beginning for every end. May the tenants of 696 spread their seeds of creativity to other yet to be discovered areas. I myself sometimes wonder if I relocated, or was unwittingly displaced by a poor job market and restless curiosity. Either way, it did turn out for the better.