2021-2023
In Chinese, "āo" refers to a low-lying space where the surroundings are high and the center is low. With the development of urbanization, the open spaces between tall buildings have become the āo—specific areas marked by a strong vertical contrast.
Today, buildings are reaching higher and higher. The ancient dream of living among the clouds has been realized, but at the same time, we are growing more distant from the land.Many people live in these āo spaces, forming what feels like small utopias. They do not live there out of poverty, but rather to preserve a way of life rooted in human coexistence with the land.
This is a long-term project I have explored in China. I spend time communicating with people in their daily lives, forming friendships with individuals across a wide range of ages. Through these encounters, I try to understand their lives, their sense of identity, and their feelings about the land they live on.
在中文中，“凹”指的是周围高，中间低的低洼空间。随着城市化的不断发展，高层建筑之间原本的空地逐渐演变为“凹”——一种具有强烈垂直对比特征的特定区域。
如今，建筑越盖越高，居于云端的古老梦想似乎已成现实，但与此同时，我们也愈发远离脚下的土地。许多人生活在这些“凹”之中，那里仿佛是城市中的小型乌托邦。他们选择居住于此，并非出于贫困，而是为了保留人与土地共生的生活方式。这是一个我在中国长期探索的项目。我花时间与人们在日常生活中交流，结识来自不同年龄层的朋友。通过这些相遇，我努力去理解他们的生活状态、身份认同，以及他们对土地的情感。
