Out of Place
Beijing, China
2025, Senior, Art: Digital (2024 – )
Reflection
The word "forest" always reminds people of birds living among the trees. But as cities grew, skyscrapers and towers replaced tall trunks, wires across the sky replaced branches, and haze pervaded the city. Birds were increasingly driven out of our concrete jungle. As a passionate birdwatcher, birds help me connect with nature. Yet, I see reed parrotbills standing helplessly on branches, watching their homes flattened by bulldozers. Windows on tall buildings and tangled wires kill countless finches. Raptors follow their instinct to migrate back, but only to find the green space beneath them is already gone. We tried to contact the related governmental department, but no one answered. Painstroke by these images, I created this piece of art. Birds are still here and trying to survive. They are our hope. By protecting birds through habitat restoration, preventing bird strikes, and stopping poaching, we can let them help us promote biodiversity in the city and ultimately protect the environment. I dream that the city in the future will have both concrete and jungle, integrating nature into our living space.