Achille ./. Tortoise

Site specific intervention in Beijing

In the centre of a vast intersection under construction, a small jade turtle (which can be purchased in tourist stores all over town) was firmly fixed to the ground. The tortoise faces north, the direction where the construction of the street had not yet been completed at that time. The street ended abruptly in front of a small traditional Chinese Settlement, which was destroyed only a few weeks later. Since the intersection had not yet been completed,the space was still closed to cars and was used by the inhabitants to fly their kites instead.

In eastern Asian mythology the world was built on the back of a tortoise. It is also considered a symbol for longevity and slowness. This work was probably less seen then felt as a small bump by the cars passing over the tortoise.