During a literary symposium in Beijing last week, Chinese President Xi Jinping read a two-hour speech addressing Chinese architects and artists who have contributed to Chinaâs sizable stock of avant-garde structures.
Architects, along with authors, actors, script writers, and dancers, were urged by the president to not pursue commercial success at the expense of producing work with artistic and moral value, national news agency Xinhua reports. For architects specifically, the president encouraged them not to âengage in weird building.â
In his speech, Jinping said that art should âbe like sunshine from the blue sky and the breeze in spring that will inspire minds, warm hearts, cultivate taste, and clean up undesirable work styles.â
He also reminisced how art and literature during his childhoodâa period when China was going through the so-called Cultural Revolutionâwas more respectful to history.
Many news agencies, both Chinese and International, interpreted the presidentâs speech as a call to more patriotic, socialist, and nationalistic art closer to traditional Chinese aesthetics.
Hong Kong-based news agency Wen Wei Po says it means China wonât have any more da kuzi (âbig pantsâ) in the future, the nickname Chinese Web denizens used for Rem Koolhasâ CCTV building in Beijing.
Â
The Guangzhou Circle. Wikimedia Commons/Amprogetti
Â
The CCTV Building in Beijing has been nicknamed "Big Pants." Wikimedia Commons/Verdgris
Related Stories
| Nov 7, 2014
NORD Architects releases renderings for Marine Education Center in Sweden
The education center will be set in a landscape that includes small ponds and plantings intended to mimic an assortment of marine ecologies and create âan engaging learning landscapeâ for visitors to experience nature hands-on.
Sponsored | | Nov 6, 2014
To build your strongest team, don't hire clones
To attract and keep talented individuals who are different than you, Entrepreneur magazine suggests a few foundational principles. SPONSORED CONTENT
| Nov 6, 2014
Hines planning tall wood office building in Minneapolis
The Houston-based developer is planning a seven-story wood-framed office building in Minneapolisâ North Loop that will respect the neighborhoodâs historic warehouse district look.
| Nov 6, 2014
Studio Gang Architects will convert power plant into college recreation center
The century-old power plant will be converted into a recreation facility with a coffee shop, lounges, club rooms, a conference center, lecture hall, and theater, according to designboom.
Sponsored | | Nov 6, 2014
Drilling deeper: On the ground insights from the Marcellus Shale region
The Marcellus Shale region is expansive, stretching from upstate New York through Pennsylvania to West Virginia. Itâs an exciting time to live and work in the area. SPONSORED CONTENT
| Nov 5, 2014
AEC firms leverage custom scripts to bridge the âBIM language gap'
Without a common language linking BIM/VDC software platforms, firms seek out interoperability solutions to assist with the data transfer between design tools.
| Nov 5, 2014
Survey: More than 75% of workload takes place without face-to-face interactions
With the rise of technology, much of the workdayâeven the most productive morning hoursâis spent corresponding via email or conference call, according to a recent survey of corporate workers by Manciniâ˘Duffy.
| Nov 5, 2014
The architects behind George Lucas' planned Chicago museum unveil 'futuristic pyramid'
Preliminary designs for the $300 million George Lucas Museum of Narrative Art have been unveiled, and it looks like a futuristic, curvy pyramid.
Sponsored | | Nov 5, 2014
How to maximize affordability and sustainability through all-wood podiums
Wood podium construction takes an age-old material and moves it into the 21st century.Â
| Nov 4, 2014
Zaha Hadid's first building in Shanghai debuts
Sky SOHO is the third in a trilogy of SOHO China developments designed by Zaha Hadid Architects.
