Revitalizing China’s Depopulated Villages Through Art
I have had the opportunity to travel all over China. In particular, I have been to rural & impoverished areas similar as shown in the video below. So many memories were brought back by this 30 minute documentary.
From NHKWorld
Asia Insight : Working to Revive China’s Depopulated Villages
Watch Video (Available until January 26, 2017):
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/vod/asiainsight/20170113/Broadcast on January 12, 2017
Depopulation of rural areas has become a serious issue in China, where economic growth has led the vast majority of youth to migrate to urban eras. Homes and fields that had supported families for generations are now falling into disrepair, with only a handful of villagers left to maintain them. Although the younger generation shows no signs of returning, outside groups are instead finding creative uses for the rustic area: Artists have recently established studios in the village, inspired by the rich history and nature that abound there. In this episode, we explore the current state of China’s rural farming villages, and the movements that are bringing new life to them.
Available until January 26, 2017
What I found encouraging in this video is how art is being used to facilitate bringing restoration & hope, relationship & community, and life & vitality back into these crumbling villages and increasingly isolated lives. Artists have come to create & display art as they live there, restore buildings, and enter into community with the locals
This reminds me a little bit of what The Stewpot here in Dallas does, in part, with the homeless in the arts.
Both express a significant aspect of my heart and the hope I have for my creative endeavors in bringing restoration to people through art. They make me consider how we creatives can use our art to facilitate bringing life & vitality back to crumbling/depraved areas & lives.
The video is worth a watch, but is only available for the next couple of weeks.
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