These vinyl figurines are part of a display named WEAkid. Photos by Jiang Dong
The two-story house has almost fallen into ruin. Debris covers the floor. In the midst of the rubble stand two well-equipped rescuers, looking sad yet determined. One wears a white safety helmet and clasps a pair of pincers. The other stands covering his mouth with a gray scarf and holding a hammer and other tools.
But upon closer inspection, observers will notice that both figures have a pair of sharp black horns on their heads. In fact, the figures - which are part of an innovative art exhibit - resemble the powerful robot "Astro Boy," star of the famous Japanese manga series of the 1960s.
The vinyl figurines, less than 10-cm high, are part of a display named WEAkid. They have been placed before a poster that carries rousing slogans, such as "unity is strength, and the will is undefeated".
The display is the latest in an ongoing series of art projects commemorating the Wenchuan earthquake by Wang Yu and Wang Binghui, two Beijing-based designers.
The exhibition was featured in "Meet in Beijing - 2008 Olympic Cultural Events", which was held from Sept 20 to 28 at the Beijing Art Center. The event attracted many international designers, artists and students.
