LEGEND OF THE DRAGON (work in progress)

“Throughout the centuries, China has been a multi-ethnic society connected by a commitment to unity, prosperity and harmony. Unity is deep in the blood. That is where our strength lies, and forms the basis for China's interaction with the international community.” Fu Ying, Vice Foreign Minister of PRC

In the Street Art project Legend of the Dragon / "龍的傳說", Phil Akashi explores the Confucian notion of the great unity / "大同", and observes how modern China is embracing diversity as an asset for a harmonious world. Escaping his studio and traveling across the People's Republic of China, the artist will push the boundaries of Street Art to open up a dialogue with the Han majority and local ethnic minorities. Through creative approaches and techniques, Phil Akashi will engage with nature, civilization and local cultures, and eventually try to go beyond existing definitions of art.

Inspired by the legendary creature of the dragon, Phil Akashi will create a series of unsanctioned and commissioned artworks integrating the dragon as a spiritual symbol of the Chinese unity and pride for the country.

In Chinese lore, the dragon was a divine and mythical creature with powers to bring rain, floods, and even hurricanes to a land. Along with this ability, the Chinese dragon symbolized power, strength, excellence and good luck. From celebrations to the Zodiac, to historical emperors, the legend of the dragon has played a large part in China’s rich history and culture. In modern China, the dragon remains a strong, profound and respected symbol of strength and prosperity. Chinese around the world, consider the dragon their ancestor and proudly proclaim themselves: “龍的傳人“ / descendants of the dragon.

This Street Art project will be completed between 2015-2017 through 9 chapters across 9 different provinces, municipalities and special administrative regions of People's Republic of China. The number 9 stands for completeness and eternity in Chinese culture. The emperors used to wear 9 dragon Imperial Robes and to construct 9 dragon Walls in the imperial palaces to show their great power, hope for longevity, and eternal reign of their empire. The number 9 is also reflected in the depiction of the Chinese Dragon, composed of 9 different animal resemblances.

CHAPTER 1 - HONG KONG

CHAPTER 2 - XINJIANG (coming soon)

CHAPTER 3 - QINGHAI (coming soon)

CHAPTER 4 - SHANGHAI (coming soon)

CHAPTER 5 - BEIJING (coming soon)

CHAPTER 6 - HEILONGJIANG (coming soon)

CHAPTER 7 - YUNNAN (coming soon)

CHAPTER 8 - GUANXI (coming soon)

CHAPTER 9 - TAIWAN (coming soon)

CHAPTER 1 - HONG KONG

The project started in Hong Kong during Art Basel Hong Kong 2015. The first artwork has been created the 9th of March 2015 at Deepwater Bay Beach in Hong Kong. Later on, a second artwork has been created in Wong Chuk Hang in the South Island Cultural District (SICD), Hong Kong’s New Destination for Contemporary Art.

Phil Akashi Legend of the Dragon Hong Kong