Hutong
describes traditional living areas with narrow alleys in Beijing. These areas
are dominated by small houses with centralized courtyard that can be shared
with its neighbors. The term hutong induces an old Beijing where bicycles were
abundant and industrialization was sparse. In recent years the number of
hutongs has dropped dramatically. This is mainly due to the rapid growth of
modernization in china, especially in Beijing. There is also a shift in the
identity of the hutong in recent years. Hutong use to be identified as a local
and perhaps lower to middle class neighborhood where it is considered rather
messy and with a disorganized aesthetics. Since Beijing has evolved more and
more into an international metropolis with a buzzling cultural scene, hutongs
has been transformed into elite bars, exquisite restaurants and some of the
highest class hotels in the city. This shift from the identity of everyday life
within a dwelling zone to the “slickest” offerings within the same city is the
inspiration for my lamp. The structure of the lamp is based on the volumetric
design of streets within the hutong. The crystals represent the hutong itself
and their unique spatial planning within the city grid formation. The use of
crystal is also a metaphor for the role of the hutong in the present day; where
it is transformed into a luxury commodity, steering far away from its intended
purpose. Swarovski has always signify an image of the upmost luxury and
decadence and what better way than to identify this with the “new” hutong of
the 21st century. The crystal can be displaced by the observer and
in this act one also represents the participation in the initiation of the
hutong getting scarcer in the city. Even when the lamp structure is without any
hutong crystal, it remains a unique piece of sculpture that exudes another
identity; it will reveal the led lightings below with laser engraved holes
designed for light transition. These openings also represent the image of night
in the city. Such as lights emitting from office buildings. What the lamp is
trying to convey is that while the city has continue its growth. The history is
still engraved within its veins and the buildings of forgotten era have to
shift their preconceived functionality in order to adapt to a new millennium.
The lamp itself is entirely customizable by the user as crystals of different
height and color can be adapted and a new sculpture can be created in a
constant bases. I believe we will be seeing this magnitude of change with
china’s past architecture in the forthcoming future. It is this uncertainty
that makes for a very dynamic contemporary Chinese society. I hope by
understanding the ideology behind this lamp, the user will acknowledge the
value of the hutong and treasure its change as a means of preserving its
existence. Just like even superman respects the power of kryptonite, I am sure
the hutong will exude the same power in the Chinese and global mentality.