The CCTV HQ project & site-specific graffiti. December 9, 2009 4:16 PM

Larger version here.

In my last post I wrote about the pornographic flap over the CCTV Headquarters complex, the project that continues to knot a lot of knickers. And there is no sign that it’s about to let up. It has become the piñata that won’t stop giving: whack it again and it keeps spraying goodies in every direction.

Personally, the project has evolved into the finest example of accidental art that anyone could have ever possibly imagined. It’s as if yin-yang has taken up both form and formal residency in the CBD (Central Business District). Whatever ends up happening with the TVCC – short of letting it continue its public oxidation trip – I will miss the totality of the project’s oversized (and unintended) visual display of blistered, rusting Destruction cozying up to gravity-defying, high-gloss Order. Who could ever have dreamed that we’d wind up here?

Today I came upon a few photos of the TVCC I’d taken in April 2009, two months after the fire. Nearly everything seems to me to have an ancient Greek parallel, so as I looked over the photos I was reminded of Euripides’ tragedy Heracles (aka Madness of Heracles). This is the only extant play where Madness, the “unmarriageable” daughter of Night (it was the Greeks, and Madness was, of course, a woman), is a speaking character.  She shows up in the tow of the messenger-goddess Iris who, at that moment, was in the employ of Hera. Hera had it in for her namesake, Heracles (the glory of Hera: it’s complicated, and I just don’t have the time). Be that as it may, Madness is an unwilling participant in Hera’s plot against the greatest of heroes, and she wants no part in what is about to happen to the big guy, though without her input, nothing will. She requests that Iris (and by implication Hera) abandon the plan. No dice. When it comes to vengeance, what Hera usually wants is what Hera usually gets. I won’t go into the details, but suffice it to say that when Hera’s peplos was in a twist truly terrible things could happen. Ask Io! In Heracles’ case he goes full-tilt and murderously psychotic, killing his wife and two children before Madness takes her leave. To the Greeks, madness of this type was a temporary state. (For a very recent example of the visiting of Madness, read about LeGarrette Blount, a University of Oregon Ducks running back who punched a Boise St. player after the Ducks had lost to the Broncos in an American college football game, not, as it might sound, an animal war. A contrite Blount, who was suspended from the team said, “I lost my head.” Indeed. He ought to be glad he wasn’t at home.)

But back to Euripides: when Madness enters the play, she appears above Heracles’ house, and finally, after an unsuccessful attempt to dodge her duties, she settles down into Heracles’ home. I have an image of Madness being lowered, and residing for a time as a very odd presence within the building.

So, here’s to madness and the TVCC. I’m pretty sure it’s not pornography.

West face of TVCC, April 7, 2009, 5:49 PM.

Early morning Tianjin, May 5, 2009. Fisherman and the curious, watching. This is one of my favorite photos. So many hands behind so many backs, watching guys gut fish. This is Tianjin: men with fish and others watching beside the river. There is a story here in the shadows of the Jingang Bridge, though it is one I’m not kitted out to tell. But it’s always worth a closer look, a flip through the pages. Jewels like these always fall out.

Here are a few more from the same morning, same area, the Jingang Bridge.

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And here’s one more from the Harry Lime Tribute file. Harry could have done well, at least for awhile, in this brave, new China. I could imagine him as a silent Sanlu partner.

For more photos along the Haihe go here.