Echo in Stones
Beyond the Physical: Preserving the Intangible
January 2023 to September 2023
Site: Anyue, Sichuan
Individual Research Project
For centuries, the stone statues of Anyue, a small town in my home province, Sichuan, have stood as silent narrators of indigenous craftsmanship, belief, and time, though their stories have often been muted by the passage of history. My project in Sichuan seeks to forge an architectural dialogue with these timeless sculptures, bridging the ancient and the contemporary through thoughtful design.
The principle of the project is ‘preservation on site,’ paying tribute to the Anyue Stone Carvings by balancing intervention with restraint—honoring their narrative while enhancing it. Much like a library gives each book its own alcove, each statue is given a dedicated space within the architectural layout, inviting visitors to engage with the individual stories these carvings tell.
This project goes beyond architecture—it serves as a sanctuary for history, allowing the stone carvings to continue their silent but profound discourse, unmuted and unerased. Through this endeavor, we safeguard the art while ensuring it inspires future, leaving the legacy of the indigenous Sichuanese eternally etched not just in stone, but in the hearts and minds of all who experience this sacred space.
Faded Buddha Forms
The hilly terrain, Anyue, rich in sandstone, provided ideal conditions for rock carvings, resulting in a remarkable collection of statues. Dating back to the Tang Dynasty’s Kaiyuan period (723 AD), the tradition reached its peak from the Tang to Northern Song dynasties and continued through the Ming, Qing, and even modern times. However, the stone statues have suffered over centuries from both natural erosion and intentional damage.
The statues bear scars from vandalism, such as chiseled-away Buddha heads and broken limbs. Over time, individuals have painted over original carvings, masking the fine craftsmanship with crude repairs
Being exposed, the sandstone statues endure slow degradation from natural forces. Wind and acid rain gradually erode their delicate carvings, softening the sharpness of features and fading the fine details.
The Statue of Buddha and the Image of Buddha
Displacement of Buddha Heads from Original Sites; Removal of Intricate Stone Sculptures
Crafting the Buddha Statue: Physical Forms; Creating the Buddha: Memory and Cultural Inheritance
The once intact Buddha statue, eroded by the wind, now remains only as an image in memory.
Rather than fragmenting the Buddha statue to preserve its physical form, it is better to fragment one’s own vision, piecing together the Buddha within the heart. This completes both the craft of sculpting the statue and the spiritual process of creating the Buddha’s image within oneself.
Fragment the Gaze, Reconstruct in Mind
Removing Key Parts of the Stone Carving for Displacement eleswhere is a conventional protection method. As a result, parts are separated from the original mountain, leaving behind voids and scars.
Instead, the new method defines gradually unfolding scenes projected onto the mountain that holds the Buddha statue.It fragments the gaze, mentally reassembling the Buddha for preservation through experience.
Through this reverse fragmentation, I reassemble both the physical presence and deeper meaning of the Buddha statue, safeguarding the intangible aspects that surpass mere form.
Plan, Interaction
The floor plan is designed as an experiential space where the Buddha statue itself becomes the exhibit. Through carefully framed views and sequential circulation, visitors engage with the statue from multiple perspectives, creating a layered and immersive interaction with its form and spiritual essence.