The magical village Xixinan 西溪南 welcomed the the multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural creative team, composed by international landscape architects, architects, landscape engineers, professors, and students representing seven nationalities (China, Italy, Mexico, Lebanon, the Netherlands, USA, and Singapore), for the Landscape Design Methods based on Social Practice Workshop from December 3-10, 2018. The aim of the LWC workshop hosted by Turenscape Academy, to create ephemeral installations between public art and land art, was successfully completed in this 1,200-year-old heritage village nestled in the foothills of the Yellow Mountains in Anhui, China.

Inspired by the ancient village’s unique landscape, rich history and culture, traditional crafts, as well as historical relics, the team set out to explore, research, and experience Xixinan. The LWC group could not have gotten a warmer welcome from the local community. From welcoming the team to observe their wedding preparations to opening their homes for students to watching how tofu is made, the villagers offered valuable cultural knowledge for the participants and instructors to brainstorm and design contemporary art installations and performance art that reflect the heritage and culture of the village.

After rounds of inspired and spirited discussions, both teams began finalizing and constructing their designs.

The two final art installations, Red Pavilion 红绕亭 and Dream Hives 梦箱, were inspired by two important cultural elements of village life in Xixinan: the Emerald Pavilion 绿绕亭 and Xixinan’s apiculture-based economy.

In line with LWCircus vision of sustainability and community participation, the team mainly used recycled, borrowed, or found materials.