The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of February 7, 2025

1997 No. 2 Beijing
1997
(Chinese, b. 1968)
Image: 61 x 77.5 cm (24 x 30 1/2 in.)
© Rong Rong
Location: not on view
Description
In this and other images from his Ruin Series, Rong Rong laments the razing of Beijing’s traditional homes and old neighborhoods as part of the city’s widespread redevelopment in the 1990s. Residential neighborhoods were replaced by shining glass office towers that reflected the nation’s sudden drive toward modernization and commercialization. In the center of the rubble stands a wall with a relief showing two dragons. Symbols of power, strength, control over natural disaster, and good luck—the dragons symbolize China itself. If the piles of rubble represent collapse, does the dragon wall offer hope for survival? Or will it just be the next wall to be flattened?- The artistthrough Karen Smith, Beijing, ChinaLarry Warsh, New York, NY2008Scott Howard, Hartsdale, NYJune 4, 2018the Cleveland Museum of Art
- {{cite web|title=1997 No. 2 Beijing|url=false|author=Rong Rong|year=1997|access-date=07 February 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2018.35