Renowned architect Ma Yansong, founder of MAD Architects, has reimagined Taiping Market—the largest abandoned building in Taiping Xu, Nanhai, Guangdong—with his evocative art installation Timeless Beacon. Commissioned by the Guangdong Nanhai Art Field, this project blends history, architecture, and art, breathing new life into a site steeped in centuries of trade and community.

A Journey Through Time: Taiping Market’s Decline

Taiping Market, established during the late Ming Dynasty, was once a bustling hub for fishermen, traders, and villagers. For centuries, it flourished as a centre of commerce until the 1980s, when rapid urbanisation and the internet age began to render physical markets obsolete. Young people migrated to cities in search of opportunities, leaving behind a quiet village marked by decaying structures, deserted streets, and a dwindling population.

The market’s abandonment mirrors a poignant shift in priorities and lifestyles, with elderly residents now sitting on doorsteps, reminiscing about a vibrant past amidst the crumbling remnants of their once-thriving community.

Rebirth from Ruins: Ma Yansong’s Vision

Reflecting on the site’s transformation, Ma Yansong shares:
“I see many plants growing towards the sun from the gaps of the abandoned building. We hope to create a sense of vitality and rebirth from the ruins, so that people can feel new energy and perception from the old structure, as well as new understanding of time to this whole area.”

By wrapping the three-storey building in a reflective film, Ma blurs the boundaries between the old and the new. The façade mirrors the surrounding streets, connecting the structure to its environment while inviting contemplation on the passage of time. The installation parallels the time scales of history and the future, forming a surreal space that ignites imagination and reinterprets the village’s story.

A Surreal Light Tower of Rebirth

The installation’s centrepiece is a multimedia light device enveloped in delicate, colourful pieces of cloth that flutter romantically in the wind. By day, the reflective building harmonises with its surroundings; by night, it transforms into a luminous “lighthouse” casting a dreamy glow across the riverside village.

This striking element captures the spirit of renewal, transforming the market into a symbol of hope and vitality. The reflective materials and gentle movement of the cloth evoke a dynamic interplay between stillness and transformation, making Timeless Beacon a profound commentary on rebirth amidst decay.

Imagination and Emotion Over Function

For Ma Yansong, the essence of Timeless Beacon lies beyond its physicality:
“When the function of the place is no longer important, the emotion and inspiration it carries are the value that is left by the building.”

This project is a testament to the potential of architecture and design to evoke emotions, preserve memories, and inspire communities. By merging history with contemporary design, Ma has created a space where past and future coexist, encouraging visitors to reflect on the changing fabric of society and the enduring beauty of resilience.

Exhibition Details

Title: Timeless Beacon
Artist: Ma Yansong (MAD Architects)
Location: Taiping Xu, Nanhai, Guangdong Province, China
On Show Until: Summer 2024

Timeless Beacon is a temporary installation that invites visitors to experience the revitalisation of a forgotten landmark. With its poetic design and emotional depth, this project by Ma Yansong is a powerful reminder of architecture’s ability to preserve memory and inspire a brighter future.