Whose Land
Wall Painting (2020)
Runze Feng, Qingling Lu, Rongbing Fang, Gaoming Xu
Emerged from the lush density of a tropical rainforest, a silent assembly of animal observers gazes outward, confronting unseen urban dwellers. The mural Whose Land creates a profound moment of mutual encounter: as we peer at these creatures through painted foliage, they peer intensely back. This arresting visual dialogue transcends a mere depiction; it poses an urgent, whispered question to all who stand before it: To whom does this land truly belong?
The piece draws vital inspiration from the community of Hecheng. Known as the region's most ecologically balanced, biodiverse neighborhood, Hecheng naturally attracts myriad creatures – including stray cats, dogs, and snakes – alongside its human residents. Yet, the cats' presence sparks deep division. Some champion their protection as fellow community members. Others fear disease and unchecked proliferation. While acknowledging valid concerns, the artist suggests a deeper trouble: the divisive, exclusionary mindset declaring "this is my territory alone."
This narrow possessiveness echoes globally. It resonates in the painful xenophobia of commands like "go back to your country" – a phrase targeting Asian individuals in North America that starkly ignores indigenous histories and the very notion of shared belonging. Who can claim exclusive ownership? The question reverberates far beyond any neighborhood fence. Human arrogance in assuming dominion over nature itself – declaring Earth solely ours – ignores the intricate web of life sustaining all, from mountains to microbes to viruses. Crises, like the COVID-19 pandemic, often erupt precisely within this hubris.
Ultimately, Whose Land? challenges us beyond polarization. Drawing upon care ethics – the understanding that caring for self expands to others and ultimately transcends human-centricity – the mural invites reflection. Those easily dismissed creatures are vital threads in the delicate tapestry holding our world together. It asks: when we claim dominion, whose rightful share do we erase? Recognizing we are but one part is the first step towards care for all beings sharing this vulnerable planet. Caring for the other is caring for ourselves.