Ma Yansong’s Glowing “Timeless Beacon” Is a Model for Revitalizing a Neglected Market

The Guangdong Nanhai Art Field commissioned “Timeless Beacon,” an artwork by Ma Yansong, to be built in Taiping Xu, Nanhai, Guangdong, China. The late Ming Dynasty-era Taiping market, regarded as the most extensive abandoned structure in Taiping Xu, was renovated.

It was once a thriving marketplace where locals, businesspeople, and fishermen would congregate for trading until the 1980s. The artwork exhibit “Timeless Beacon” will continue shining and glowing to passers-by until the summer of 2024.

©Lu Yu

“Many plants are pushing through the cracks of the old structure, seeking light. We want to bring life and revival to the remains so that people can experience renewed vitality, fresh perspective from the ancient building, and a new appreciation for the passage of time in this entire region,” according to Ma Yansong.

The Glowing “Timeless Beacon”

The modern cityscape across the river starkly contrasts the traditional town. The building’s worth lies in the memories, feelings, and ideas it evokes long after its original purpose has passed. By creating a surreal scene that echoes both the past and the future, MAD hopes to reawaken people’s imaginations.

©Li Junliang

A new material, reflective film, covers the exterior and interior of the three-story Timeless Beacon, creating a hazy reflection of the neighboring historic streets. Wrapped around a tall multimedia illuminating device, the fabric pieces swirl charmingly in the breeze. It becomes the village’s new “lighthouse” at night, casting a nocturnal spell along the riverbank.

Ma Yansong with the “Timeless Beacon” in the background. ©Tian Fangfang