A GROUP of local artists participated in the “Emptied Out” art week in the abandoned Langkou Village, Dalang, in Longhua New Area.

    According to American anthropologist Mary Ann O’Donnell, who is the organizer of the Shenzhen urban village research project “Handshake 302” and one of the participating artists in this Langkou art event, the curatorial statement emphasizes how urban renewal is “emptying out” the villages. “Almost buddhist, except we’re still yearning and true emptiness alludes us,” she writes in her blog Shenzhen Noted.

    East met West in the historical Hakka village. Guangdong’s oldest girls school, Devout and Chaste Girls School, was built there in 1891 by Western missionaries and closed in 1985. There was also a 130-year-old gospel hall in Langkou Village.

    Now half of the old village has been demolished and villagers have moved to modern buildings nearby. The old buildings have been rented to migrants, garbage pickers, and small entrepreneurs, according to O’Donnell.

    “Everyone here is ultimately transient and new residents ignore present conditions and seem uninterested in its future. This place has forgotten the past, but is cut off from the future.”

    Participating artists were Chen Feng, Chen Weicai, Chen Zhou, Zhang Xiaojing, Nut Brother, Liu He, Mary Ann O’Donnell, Ren Lei, Wu Dan, Yang Guang, Zhang Kaiqin, Zhang Qinu, and Zheng Zhongguo (A Bu). They have placed their installations and paintings in various areas around the Devout and Chaste Girls School.

    Dates: Until June 30

    Venue: Devout and Chaste Girls School, Langkuo Village, Dalang, Longhua New Area (龙华新区大浪浪口虔贞女校)

    Metro: Longhua Line, Longhua Station (龙华站), Exit A and then take a taxi

    (Cao Zhen)