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Beijing Reconstructs: Photographs of Lois Conner

The following small selection of work by the noted New York-based photographer Lois Conner reflects something of the temper and style of Beijing's architectural reinvention.

Lois has been working in China for nearly twenty-five years. These works are also part of a collaborative project undertaken in recent years with Geremie R. Barmé entitled 'Beijing Spectacle—Ruination & Reinvention'.

Fig. 1 Looking towards Zhengyang Gate (Zhengyang Men, to the right, or 'south'), formerly the entryway to the Inner City (Nei Cheng), now located on the southern side of Tiananmen Square.

Fig. 2 The 'Bird's Nest' ( niaochao) National Stadium and surrounding structures during construction.

Fig. 3 The 'Bird's Nest' National Stadium at night.

Fig. 4 The Olympic Park featuring traditional-style marble pillars.

Fig. 5 The National Centre for the Performing Arts on the south side of Chang'an Boulevard, northwest of Tiananmen Square, at night.

Fig. 6 The National Centre for the Performing Arts, situated next to the Great Hall of the People, during construction.

Fig. 7 The Rem Koolhaas and Ole Scheeren-designed CCTV Tower during construction.

Fig. 8 The CCTV Tower during construction.

Fig. 9 A view from the CCTV Tower.

Fig. 10 The Olympic Park during construction.

Fig. 11 New Year's fireworks outside Beijing.

Fig. 12 One of two bronze lions removed from the Garden of Perfect Brightness (Yuanming Yuan) and relocated at the former Italian Embassy, now in the grounds of the Chinese Friendship Association compound at Taiji Chang, central Beijing.

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