On a mission to protect and preserve Jiading traditions
By Wang Lihui and Wing Tan |
August 28, 2012, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
HUANG Zhenwei is busier than usual these days. The Jiading native is preparing his folk art museum, which will showcase his collection of folk items from the past three decades.
"This wooden basin was once used for footbath in old days, and this bucket was to hold a small baby when parents were out tending their farms," Huang says.
When it comes to folk items, Huang can hardly contain his enthusiasm.
"I keep them to keep the old Jiading traditions alive for future generations," he says.
"If no one does this, they might be lost forever."
Huang's father was a carpenter and he became interested in manual work when he was young. After graduating from middle school, he became an apprentice of a mason named Zheng Jichang, who taught him bricklaying and tiling.
In 1976, Huang was assigned to the Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Due to his excellent work, Huang was sent to further his studies in architecture at Tongji University in 1983, where he learned how to draw and protect ancient architectures.
In 2000, Huang was transferred to work as the head of planning and construction department of Jiading Town. A few months later he finished his panoramic drawing of Jiading Old Town.
Then he suggested the Ximen Old Street should be renovated, so as to better protect the Huguo Temple, Xixi Hall, the former residences of Gu Weijun, Tang Shaolan and Wu Yunchu. With his efforts, Ximen Old Street was listed as a Shanghai Historic and Cultural Area in 2004 and the renovation of it has been included in the 12th five-year plan (2011-2015) of Jiading District.
"Ancient buildings, to some extent, have witnessed Chinese history. They will never be displaced by those old-looking but newly built buildings," Huang says.
When he saw the valuable old buildings were being dismantled to give way to modern urban planning, he felt sad and angry.
"It's a total destruction to China's culture. However, protecting ancient buildings requires more people's effort," he says.
In 2006, Huang was elected as director of the Jiading Association of Ancient Architecture and Folk-custom History and Culture. It has more than 50 members with the oldest aged at 84. They are always the first to run to a demolition site to protect valuable parts from being destroyed.
Three years ago during a sewage pipe renovation project, workers dug out a lot of ancient building materials. On hearing the news, Huang rushed to the construction site and after studying the materials he determined it was the site of an old water gate of Jiading in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
Confirmed by the cultural heritage experts from Shanghai municipality, the site of this water gate was protected. Today a park has been set up around it.
Huang and his fellow members have rescued almost 10 relics in the district since 2009.
"It is quite important that we protect old buildings and renovate them with traditional skills and materials found in Jiading."
In 2004, Huang set up his own ancient building construction team. He hopes the traditional architectural skills can be passed down to young people.
"I plan to write a book about Jiading's folk houses when I'm 65, to introduce the detailed ancient architecture to the young readers," he says.
"This wooden basin was once used for footbath in old days, and this bucket was to hold a small baby when parents were out tending their farms," Huang says.
When it comes to folk items, Huang can hardly contain his enthusiasm.
"I keep them to keep the old Jiading traditions alive for future generations," he says.
"If no one does this, they might be lost forever."
Huang's father was a carpenter and he became interested in manual work when he was young. After graduating from middle school, he became an apprentice of a mason named Zheng Jichang, who taught him bricklaying and tiling.
In 1976, Huang was assigned to the Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Due to his excellent work, Huang was sent to further his studies in architecture at Tongji University in 1983, where he learned how to draw and protect ancient architectures.
In 2000, Huang was transferred to work as the head of planning and construction department of Jiading Town. A few months later he finished his panoramic drawing of Jiading Old Town.
Then he suggested the Ximen Old Street should be renovated, so as to better protect the Huguo Temple, Xixi Hall, the former residences of Gu Weijun, Tang Shaolan and Wu Yunchu. With his efforts, Ximen Old Street was listed as a Shanghai Historic and Cultural Area in 2004 and the renovation of it has been included in the 12th five-year plan (2011-2015) of Jiading District.
"Ancient buildings, to some extent, have witnessed Chinese history. They will never be displaced by those old-looking but newly built buildings," Huang says.
When he saw the valuable old buildings were being dismantled to give way to modern urban planning, he felt sad and angry.
"It's a total destruction to China's culture. However, protecting ancient buildings requires more people's effort," he says.
In 2006, Huang was elected as director of the Jiading Association of Ancient Architecture and Folk-custom History and Culture. It has more than 50 members with the oldest aged at 84. They are always the first to run to a demolition site to protect valuable parts from being destroyed.
Three years ago during a sewage pipe renovation project, workers dug out a lot of ancient building materials. On hearing the news, Huang rushed to the construction site and after studying the materials he determined it was the site of an old water gate of Jiading in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
Confirmed by the cultural heritage experts from Shanghai municipality, the site of this water gate was protected. Today a park has been set up around it.
Huang and his fellow members have rescued almost 10 relics in the district since 2009.
"It is quite important that we protect old buildings and renovate them with traditional skills and materials found in Jiading."
In 2004, Huang set up his own ancient building construction team. He hopes the traditional architectural skills can be passed down to young people.
"I plan to write a book about Jiading's folk houses when I'm 65, to introduce the detailed ancient architecture to the young readers," he says.
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