Archive 1: Public Artist Interview
Li Jiang is a public artist dedicated to integrating urban space with cultural memory. He graduated from the Moscow State University of Arts and Industry in Russia, specializing in public art. Since 2007, he has participated in and led the cultural revitalization project of Kuanzhai Alley in Chengdu, becoming one of the first artists in China to apply the concept of “public art” to the renewal of historic urban districts.
His work emphasizes community engagement, local culture, and the reuse of materials. One of his most representative projects is a 400-meter-long Historical Culture Wall, which uses discarded bricks and tiles combined with archival photographs to reconstruct 10,000 years of Chengdu’s urban history.
Li Jiang consistently explores the role of public art in contemporary urban transformation. He advocates for a philosophy of “compromise with warmth,” allowing art to serve as a shared language between past and present, residents and the city.
Interview
Question 1
Are you concerned that Kuanzhai Alley’s cultural elements are being consumed and losing their original historical depth?
Li Jiang: Yes, that’s a genuine concern. One of the core contradictions in revitalizing Kuanzhai Alley has always been striking a balance between commercial energy and cultural integrity. Today, we see a dominance of high-end restaurants and trendy retail, while scenes of traditional street life — teahouses, craftspeople — are slowly disappearing. For instance, something as simple and authentic as ear-cleaning has turned into a luxury service, stripped of its everyday cultural roots.
Still, I must admit: without a certain level of commercial support, historical districts like Kuanzhai Alley couldn’t sustain themselves economically. What matters is having a boundary — a development approach with a bottom line. Fortunately, some of the spatial and architectural integrity was preserved during renovation, such as the street patterns and traditional timber structures, which provide a framework for the culture to continue existing.
Question 2
How can we create an art space in commercial areas that truly belongs to the local community?
Li Jang: The key is to move beyond a tourism-only mindset and design spaces that serve both visitors and residents. Art should enter daily life — from transforming traditional clotheslines into street installations to embedding local dialects into signage, turning ordinary residents’ demands into a visual art campaign. The government also needs to step in. Policies could require developers to set aside space for nonprofit cultural use or offer tax incentives to businesses that support local arts. Public art can’t thrive on passion alone — it needs structure.
What Does the Community Need in Chengdu?
To gain deeper insights into the current cultural and community landscape of Kuanzhai Alley, we distributed an 18-question survey to local Chengdu residents from various age groups and professional backgrounds, receiving a total of 425 responses. The survey results reveal the ongoing commercialization of Kuanzhai Alley in recent years and its impact on local culture, residents' lifestyles, and community identity.
Analysis Report
This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Kuanzhai Alley, tracing its transformation from a Qing Dynasty military settlement to a highly commercialized tourist destination. We examine the impact of commercialization on the area’s cultural identity and everyday life, and explore the unique role of Sanlian Taofen Bookstore as a community-rooted cultural space distinct from top-down government initiatives. The report also situates our project within Chengdu’s broader art ecosystem, highlighting the contributions of local museums, galleries, and public art initiatives. Building on these insights, we propose a vision for revitalizing Kuanzhai Alley through participatory art, community exhibitions, and interactive engagement. Ultimately, we hope to collaborate with other art institutions in Chengdu and serve as a bridge connecting local heritage, contemporary creativity, and community life.