Reviving History: The Dachuan Lane Art Installation

Yingjie Lin and Yuanyuan Zhang's Innovative Approach to Urban Renewal

Located on the west bank of the Jinjiang River, Dachuan Lane is a historical street that connects the Jinjiang Qingling Wharf and the ruins of the Chengdu East Gate City Wall. Before its transformation, Dachuan Lane was a bustling "express street". However, its unique history and geographical location made it a prime candidate for urban renewal.

The design inspiration behind the Dachuan Lane Art Installation was to inherit the history and carry forward the memory of the street. The designers aimed to create a new link between the historical prototype and contemporary culture. The result is a street installation space that is not only visually stunning but also interactive, allowing passers-by to stop and immerse themselves in the stories of the people who once lived there.

The unique properties of the installation lie in its structure. The entire device is made of 8mm diameter stainless steel copper-plated solid tubes, which were dislocated and welded in a factory before being assembled and processed on site. The ground is paved with black bricks and stone slabs, reminiscent of traditional local streets. The installation space serves as the image space of the street entrance, ensuring basic traffic function while also communicating the memory of the street and the life of the street.

The realization of the Dachuan Lane Art Installation was not without its challenges. The designers had to ensure that the installation not only served its functional purpose but also provided an interesting and dramatic space interwoven with memory, life, and culture. The installation itself is a medium for the continuation and transmission of the story, providing a kind of urban cultural temperature for the new street space.

The Dachuan Lane Art Installation is a shining example of how art and design can play a pivotal role in urban renewal. By reviving the streets and carrying forward the memory of the past, Yingjie Lin and Yuanyuan Zhang have created a space that is not only functional but also deeply connected to the history and culture of Chengdu.