Beijing
Representing China's Incredible Leap Forward, the yin-yang-shaped
National Center for the Performing Arts, Beijing, People's Republic of
China (July, 2008).
Architectural detail from UNESCO World Heritage Site The Forbidden
City (the more creatures mounted on the corner roof ridge the
greater the building's importance), Beijing, People's Republic of
China (July, 2008).
The team landed at the Beijing Capital International Airport. If the
imperial scale was meant to impress, it did ... but so did the sweeping
beauty of the design, the pervasive cleanliness of the facility, and the
incredible ease with which one entered the country (July, 2008).
Architectural detail from The Forbidden City,
a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Beijing, People's
Republic of China (July, 2008).
Following a quick transition through customs, an imperial vista through
the airport's postmodern gateway into the People's Republic of China,
Beijing Capital International Airport (July, 2008).
A wall, a guarded opening -- a gateway -- into China not unlike the
one pictured above at the Beijing Capital International Airport; this,
however, is the Beijing Railway Station (July, 2008).
CCTV Communications Building (under construction)
-- a gateway of yet another sort -- as viewed
from inside a passing bus, Beijing, People's Republic
of China (July, 2008).
Signs of China looking forward, Beijing (July 2002).
At night, the Beijing National Stadium (commonly referred
to as The Bird's Nest) was designed by Herzog & de Meuron
Architekten AG, China Architecture Design & Research
Group, and artist Ai Weiwei, Beijing, People's Republic of
China (July, 2008).
Detail of the Beijing National Stadium at night, Beijing, People's
Republic of China (July, 2008).
Enormous-screen TV with encompassing-sound
showing a reenactment of an ancient rite at the
Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO World Heritage Site,
behind the Temple of Heaven, Beijing, People's
Republic of China (July, 2008).
Tiananmen Square, often remembered as the site of the democracy demonstrations
of 1989 ... and the Tiananmen Massacre that followed ... resulted in a seemingly
immortal image of death. However, in preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games,
Tiananmen Square was getting a make-over with the installation of thousands of flowers
and shrubs arranged in an Olympic theme ... maybe an image of life?-- and the singular-
sounding aspiration: "One World, One Dream," Beijing, People's Republic
of China (July, 2008).
The north side of the Great Wall at Mutianyu (a UNESCO World Heritage
Site), north of Beijing, People's Republic of China (July, 2008).
The south side of the Great Wall at Mutianyu (a UNESCO World Heritage
Site), north of Beijing, People's Republic of China (July, 2008).
Team members Tifin Calcagni, Bruce Marshall,
Kelly Rounds and Jessica Lamb on the Great
Wall at Mutianyu, north of Beijing, People's
Republic of China (July, 2008).
Following a day of exploring the city, the team enjoys and bonds
over a delicious meal and lively conversation, Beijing, People's
Republic of China (July, 2008).
Fire-protection: these cauldrons once stored water in the event of a
fire (and in the winter the water was kept from freezing by a fire
maintained underneath), The Forbidden City, Beijing, People's Republic
of China (July, 2008).
The Nine Dragons Screen near the Palace of Tranquil Longevity, The
Forbidden City, Beijing, People's Republic of China (July, 2008).
Detail of the uppermost of 13 layers of courtyard pavers to guard
against assassins tunneling up through the ground in The Forbidden
City (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Beijing, People's Republic of
China (July, 2008).
One of a pair of guards (this one being the female
[the male clutches a ball instead of a cub]), The
Forbidden City, Beijing, People's Republic of China
(July, 2008).
National guide Shi Wentao explaining to the team some of the history
of The Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Beijing,
People's Republic of China (July, 2008).
Resident's entrance in a hutong. Hutong is a word that was
introduced from the Mongols during the Yuan Dynasty
meaning "found water" or " water well" around which family
compounds were organized, like yurts around a well on the
steppe. Hutongs have gone through many changes since then.
Today, hutong often refers to "lane" or "alley" and the compounds
and homes in these old neighborhoods. Above, an entrance to a
hutong home where much can be revealed. The greater number
of steps, the greater the social status of the family. The stone
carvings on either side of the doors signified the father's
occupation (e.g.: drums for military men, books for scholars, etc.).
The height of the threshold below the doors not only expressed
status but kept the demons out ... who were small creatures that
couldn't climb. One was to step over the threshold for to step
on it was to be disrespectful, symbolic of stepping onto the
shoulders of the host. The pins above the door also expressed
status: one was to marry into another household of equal pins,
although women could marry up but only as a concubine.
Many hutongs have been demolished. Today, there is an effort
to preserve the relatively few that remain, Beijing, People's
Republic of China (July, 2008).
A guard on a hutong resident's door, Beijing,
People's Republic of China (July, 2008).
Two guards disguised as door knockers on a hutong resident's door,
Beijing, People's Republic of China (July, 2008).
A stone drum at an entrance to a hutong home
signifying the military employment of the former
head of the household, Beijing, People's Republic
of China (July, 2008).
Entrance to a hutong home, Beijing, People's
Republic of China (July, 2008).
Drum Tower, Beijing, People's Republic of
China (July, 2008).
The team, Beijing, People's Republic of China (July, 2008).
Brad Houk squeaking an erhu at the Temple of Heaven
(a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Beijing, People's
Republic of China, July, 2008 (photo courtesy of Tifin
Calcagni).
Bruce Marshall (left) and Bill Herrington (right), descending into
Beijing's impressive subway system, Beijing, People's Republic of
China (July, 2008).
Beyond the gateway to the railway station, the team takes a train
into China's interior, from Beijing to Zhengzhou, Henan Province
(July, 2008).
All photographs, drawings and prose by Brad Houk unless otherwise noted.
Copyright © 2008 by Brad Houk, All Rights Reserved
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