16: qianhai dream, china dream?

Qianhai envisions the model, immaculate city, a simulacra of personified modernity itself. Designed to be eco-friendly and pedestrian-friendly, it boasts to be the perfect synthesis of technology and urban planning. “Maybe you will work here one day,” someone suggests. My initial reaction was something closer to aversion—devoid of people (not donning fitted business suits), Qianhai reveals itself to be more alike a city from the Sims. The notion of a pristine simulation, operating at maximum efficiency, suddenly becomes jarring even without the incessant plugins of propaganda. But like all cities, Qianhai must also become worn by its people one day. So for now, we take pictures next to and stroke the symbolic rock, waiting for the advent of some year far beyond 2020 that is more suitable for dreaming.