Feng and Huang are 12-ton birds constructed by artist Xu Bing. The first one measures 90 feet long while the second is nearly 100 feet in length and together they fill up a building the size of a football field. Made out of various construction materials including demolition debris, steel beams, tools, and other various remnants, both birds took two years to build.
photography by farewell kingdom, Junkculture
The materials used in this project seem to be a commentary on the rapid development in China and how such actions are affecting the physical and cultural landscape.
photography by farewell kingdom, Junkculture
To finish off the birds, a network of lights were introduced into the form and mounted within the sculptures to give the pieces an imperial quality when viewed at night that is drastically different from the crude and distressed manner the birds are viewed during the day.
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Courtesy of Xu Bing
Kristin Hoover is an editor at Arch2O and a proud graduate of Virginia Tech. Since joining in July 2014, she has authored over 200 insightful articles covering everything from adaptive reuse and cultural centers to eco-buildings and urban infrastructure . With a passion for architectural storytelling, Kristin skillfully curates and crafts compelling narratives that bring design innovation to life. Her editorial work reflects a broad yet finely honed interest in how architecture intersects with society, technology, and the environment—making her a key voice shaping Arch2O’s explorations of contemporary built form.