Together
This work traverses the history of China's energy transition, spanning more than three decades from the post-reform era to the present day. In 20th-century China, the coal mining industry served as a pillar of the nation's energy supply, addressing the electricity and heating needs of millions. However, the early lack of energy security measures made coal mining one of the most hazardous professions for a prolonged period.While the miners’ circumstances were more visible, the lives of their family members were often overlooked. When mining disasters occurred, critical questions arose: how would the miners’ wives and children continue their lives? How would restructured mining families navigate and adapt to their new realities? These issues, though significant, have largely gone unrecorded in the history of China's energy transition.Behind the rapid development and glory of the nation lies the sacrifice of countless mining families. Their struggles demand attention beyond the provision of compensation, calling for deeper care and recognition of their contributions and resilience.
In the stage design concept, the visual narrative is primarily constructed from the individual perspective of Zhang Defeng, emphasizing the idea of a mine shaft. The audience is seated in a circular arrangement, encircling Zhang Defeng and symbolically confining him within this space. Framework structures commonly found in mine tunnels are integrated into the design to underscore the mining theme. Although Zhang Defeng, a doctor in the mining district, never descended into the mines himself, he was bound to the mining area due to historical and political circumstances, unable to return to his hometown. Through this design, we aim to make the audience an integral part of the set, connecting them to the darkness of the environment while simultaneously forming the boundaries of the performance space.
In the multimedia design, a projection screen is suspended across the entire upper space, creating a representation of the "world outside the shaft." Using a collage technique, the projection depicts the changes and transformations of the mining area over three decades, illustrated by the sky gradually being obscured by the rising high-rise buildings.