"the last day when the tomb was dismantled"
Wenzhou, China
2023.02 - 2023.06
Bios and Zoe are what the ancient Greeks used to describe life.
Zoe refers to organic life. Organic life, in a simple way, can be defined as a scientific definition of what life is, or the existence of the ability of life, and only this, and not of what type/quality of life. The loss of Zoe, of organic life, through observing each step of decomposition, a ritualistic practice exists to counter the effects of this decomposition. While evolving into something mystical and religious, these rituals and practices are also a way to preserve the political existence of the person who just died. This political existence can then be linked to the idea of bios. Even in death, being afforded the ritual of funeral and burial it is a recognition of the existence of political life within the individual. Bios are the essence of life, the manner of life, what type of life, how life is lived, and the political function of life, the political life. In this definition, politics is not what we see as a spectacle of politics, which includes processes like voting or the membership of a political party. Instead, a political life, understood fundamentally, means a person/life participating in society and its development.
Before one could grasp death, it is important to be able to articulate the status quo within the historical, cultural, as well as social-economical, and social-political fabric of the world.It also challenges the constructed transitory nature of death in the modern world, where we in essence have to choose between two forms of death-making, that of the citizen of that of the private individual. Whether it is the death of a citizen or an individual, tombstones are proof of existence.
However, in the face of the wave of urbanization in China, tombstones have been pushed down, submerged, moved and perished countless times.
In Wenzhou, a coastal region of China where family, culture, and religion are highly valued, there is simultaneous rapid economic and urbanization. Tombstones continue to be neglected, and mountains full of them can disappear in just one night. When death is inevitable, can the gravestones, the last vestige of dignity, only disappear in the face of the cold, icy machinery of urbanization? The project hopes to find a new coexistence through theoretical research - site investigation - design.