A new life for Caochangdi

In Modern cities, the spaces we live every day, are becoming more and more hybrid and they require great adaptability. Individuals live in a state of uncertainty and their identity is increasingly fragmented. The cities have changed and have become places of transit and the the traditional urban spaces are slowly being replaced by hybrid spaces. Individuals lives in a constant state of stress and stimulation. Analyzing contemporary society my research is built on the idea of designing the blanks within our cities. An empty area can become a space for reflection for a society that no longer knows how to appreciate the little moments of pause. We live in a constant state of stress in which moments of tranquillity and calm, where find a break, are completely disappeared. The project that gives "A new life to Caochangdi" comes from the idea of offering society a space for reflection, of harmony in which isolate themselves to break away from everyday life. Design a space in which to reflect through an exhibition made up of stories, images and experiences. It is a space in which we can find ourselves and at the same time enjoy moments of cohesion and social sharing: the project also provide for the creation of a market for the community. The goal, designing an exhibition and a market, is to find a meeting point between two realities: the first one is the art and the second one is the everyday life. In order to speak about art I focused my research on the art districts located in Beijing and I choose to design in the specific contest of Caochangdi Village. Located in the north- east of Beijing this village has a rural past and residents are mostly migrants from the countryside. Since Caochangdi is both rural and artistic village the central theme of the project in this area is the agriculture. This topic reminds the past of the village, born as an agricultural community. It speak about the present because people who live there are farmers. It leads people to think about the future and the new trends of contemporary society, in order to raise the awareness about issues related to healthy food, biological products and to rediscover the genuine values of past generations.