China
Dalian | Beijing | Xi’an | Suzhou
“Traveling through China felt like a constant oscillation between extremes. One day you’re navigating the neon-lit, high-velocity energy of a Dalian arena tour, and the next you’re catching your breath on the Xi’an City Wall, where the air is still and the stone feels heavy with centuries of defense. It’s a place where the sheer momentum of modern city life is always just a few steps away from a silent, imperial past.”
— 2014 Tour Expedition
“There is a peculiar stillness found in the sprawling enclosures of the Dalian Forest Zoo. Away from the high-velocity pulse of the city center, the atmosphere shifts into a slow, rhythmic pace—captured in the prehistoric gaze of a giraffe or the quiet, heavy movement of the wildlife. It is a study of living textures and silent observation, offering a rare moment of stillness within a massive, modern landscape.”
— 2014 Observations | Dalian, China
Summary
Imperial
Geometry
This study documents the juxtaposition of China’s ancient fortifications and its organic “Water Towns.” From the massive, 14-kilometer defensive perimeter of the Xi’an City Wall to the intricate canal systems of Suzhou, the collection explores how heritage sites maintain their structural identity amidst rapid modern expansion. The work highlights a specific tension between the rigid, fortified geometry of the north and the fluid, masonry-heavy architecture of the southern river regions.
Technical Details
- Regions: Shaanxi, Liaoning, Jiangsu
- Key Sites: Xi’an Wall, Dalian Forest, Suzhou
- Dynasties: Ming and Qing Architecture
- Observation: Urban Enclosure & Scale