on the construction site...
The seemingly omnipresent propaganda buzz-word 'civilization' (wenming) is perhaps most ubiquitous emblazoned across construction site fencing and facades, which are themselves nestled within the metaphorical construction zone that is contemporary China.
This series of images was photographed in the vicinity of Nanjing Road (West) in Jing'an district, Shanghai (indicated by the green subway Line 2 on the map). This uptown area of Shanghai features a number of well-known complexes housing exclusive shopping boutiques and commercial premises, including the Portman Ritz-Carlton Shanghai Center, Plaza 66 and the CITIC Building.
TITLE
Achieve a civilized construction site (Chuang wenming gongdi).
CONTEXT
Large characters affixed to construction perimeter fencing, Yongyuan Road (toward Wulumuqi (North) Road end - vicinity blue marker on map). July 2005.
DESCRIPTION
Blue adhesive tape.
TITLE
Achieve civilization together (Gongchuang wenming).
CONTEXT
Affixed to facade of temporary construction site management structure. July 2005.
DESCRIPTION
Blue on white background.
TITLE
Civilized Construction Contract (Wenming
shigong chengnuo).
CONTEXT
Affixed to construction perimeter fencing. July 2005.
DESCRIPTION
Content: Mud is not to drain away (nijiang bu wailiu); tyres are not to be soiled by mud (luntai bu zhanni); pipelines are not to be damaged (guanxian bu sunhuai); sediment is not to be discarded (zhatu bu luanpao); blasting is not to disturb people (baopo bu raomin); noise is to be minimized at night (yejian shao zaoyin).
TITLE
Civilized
Construction Contract (Wenming shigong chengnuo).
CONTEXT
Affixed to construction perimeter fencing. July 2005.
DESCRIPTION
Content: Mud is not to drain away (nijiang bu wailiu); tyres are not to be soiled by mud (luntai bu zhanni); pipelines are not to be damaged (guanxian bu sunhuai); sediment is not to be discarded (zhatu bu luanpao); blasting is not to disturb people (baopo bu raomin); noise is to be minimized at night (yejian shao zaoyin).
TITLE
Civilized Construction Board (Wenming shigong pai)
CONTEXT
Affixed to bamboo construction scaffolding. July 2005.
DESCRIPTION
Rigid board.
TITLE
Civilized Construction (Wenming shigong).
CONTEXT
Rigid board affixed to bamboo construction scaffolding. July 2005.
DESCRIPTION
Content: Standardize operations, work in a civilized manner (Guifan caozuo, wenming zuoye); protect the environment, reduce impact (baohu huanjing, jianshao yingxiang); stack building material neatly (shigong cailiao, duifang zhengji); remove each rubbish type promptly (gelei laji, jishi qingyun); tidy site upon completion of work (changdi zhengjie, gongwan liaoqing); lorry trucks observe order (yunhuo cheliang, zunshou zhixu).
