the lost lakes of china pop up as reflections across beijing
all images courtesy of weijun lin

 

woven into the paths of busy beijingers ‘the lost lakes’, was a large-scale art installation by a team at grey group china. the country’s recent urbanization efforts and the effects of climate change and environmental pollution has caused severe droughts and water shortage across the country. more than 240 lakes have disappeared over the last 40 years in china. the team brought the vanished lakes into the city to raise awareness to city dwellers, many of whom have never seen a lake before. the artwork helped people to slow down and take a moment to appreciate the beauty reflected by these lakes. each venue featured customized mirrors, the largest at 20m x 10m. fifteen skilled craftsmen worked over six weeks to create the curving structures. built to withstand wear and tear from the weather and the curious audience, these mirrors can be easily stored and re-assembled. over 3500,000 people across all ages visited ‘the lost lakes’ exhibition, reacting positively, they participated, documented and helped to share the environmental message to the masses. 

 

 

the lost lakes of china pop up as reflections across beijing
the team brought the vanished lakes into the city to raise environmental awareness to city dwellers

 

 

the lost lakes of china pop up as reflections across beijing
more than 240 lakes have disappeared over the last 40 years in china

 

 

the lost lakes of china pop up as reflections across beijing
each venue featured customized mirrors, the largest at 20m x 10m

 

 

the lost lakes of china pop up as reflections across beijing
over 3500,000 people across all ages visited ‘the lost lakes’ exhibition

 

 

the lost lakes of china pop up as reflections across beijing
china’s recent urbanization efforts, caused severe droughts and water shortage across the country

 

 

the lost lakes of china pop up as reflections across beijing
these mirrors can be easily stored and re-assembled

 

 

the lost lakes of china pop up as reflections across beijing
reacting positively, they participated, documented and helped to share the environmental message to the masses

 

 

the lost lakes of china pop up as reflections across beijing
fifteen skilled craftsmen worked over six weeks to create the curving structures

 

 

the lost lakes of china pop up as reflections across beijing
installation in process

 

 

the lost lakes of china pop up as reflections across beijing
aerial view showing ‘the lost lakes’ installation in beijing

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.