Nestled in the vast Gobi Desert of Guazhou County, Gansu Province, stands a remarkable outdoor sculpture known as "The Son of the Earth." This magnificent work of art measures an impressive 15 meters in length, 4.3 meters in height, and 9 meters in width. Crafted primarily from red sandstone, the sculpture was brought to life through a sophisticated process: 3D scanning was used to obtain model data, followed by block-by-block carving and finally, piece-by-piece assembly to form the complete structure.
The visionary behind this large-scale outdoor themed sculpture is Professor Dong Shubing from the Sculpture Department of the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University. Beyond his role as a professor, he also holds prominent positions such as Deputy Secretary-General and Standing Director of the China Sculpture Institute, as well as Deputy Director of the Sculpture Art Committee of the Beijing Artists Association. His extensive experience and expertise are evident in every detail of this extraordinary creation.
Despite being a sculpture, "The Son of the Earth" lacks the rigidity often associated with such works. Instead, it depicts a lifelike baby, with a cute and innocent expression, eyes tightly closed, peacefully lying on his mother's chest as if in a deep, serene sleep. The relaxed demeanor of the sculpture is so vivid and realistic that it never fails to elicit admiration from all who see it.
From a distance, the baby appears to be lying alone in the boundless Gobi Desert, enduring the harsh elements of every season—wind, rain, and extreme temperatures. His lonely figure deeply touches visitors from near and far. At first glance, he might even evoke a sense of pity, like an abandoned infant left to fend for himself. Yet, this "strong and sensible child" shows no signs of tears; instead, he remains calm and composed, his eyes still closed, quietly waiting as if for a kind soul to take him in.
Upon drawing closer, however, a heartwarming detail emerges: there are no tears on the face of "The Son of the Earth." He is merely asleep, lost in a sweet dream. Visitors often walk past him in a hushed manner, afraid to disturb his peaceful slumber.
His lips curl slightly upward, hinting at a faint smile. One can't help but wonder what delightful scenes he might be dreaming of. Could it be the vast grasslands dotted with blooming flowers and herds of cattle and sheep? Or perhaps the prosperous glory of Dunhuang more than a thousand years ago? Might he be dreaming of the golden willows by the hazy riverbank, or the breathtaking sunset over Crescent Moon Spring?
In the midst of such reveries, one almost feels as if the baby has gently stretched his limbs before returning to his sleeping posture. It is as if he has woken up, yet still keeps his eyes closed, lying quietly on the ground. He seems to be listening to the tender call of Mother Earth, while the distant tinkling of camel bells drifts into his ears.
The choice of red sandstone as the primary material for "The Son of the Earth" is no accident. This type of rock is widely used in architectural decoration due to its high compressive strength and resistance to disintegration. Professor Dong Shubing conducted in-depth research on large-scale statues both at home and abroad, and carried out comparative experiments on various domestic materials suitable for creation before finally selecting red sandstone. Not only is it well-suited to the characteristics of the desert, but its color is also striking without being obtrusive.
Typically, a baby is associated with tenderness, purity, and fragility. However, Professor Dong took a different approach. Instead of using a smooth material for the sculpture, he opted for red sandstone with its coarse texture. This bold choice gives the work a powerful sense of vitality and conveys a deep respect for life itself.
Professor Dong Shubing generously donated "The Son of the Earth" to Guazhou County, adding a precious work of art to the area. Today, this sculpture has become a landmark of Guazhou, attracting numerous Chinese and foreign tourists who come to admire it. It has not only boosted and promoted the local tourism industry but also serves as a constant reminder for people to protect the environment and cherish our shared beautiful home.
"The Son of the Earth" is more than just a sculpture; it is a "child" into which Professor Dong Shubing poured his heart, effort, and affection. This "infant" lying on the desert has brought vitality and hope to the desert, and added a touch of warmth to the earth. The sculpture embodies profound respect for nature, urging us to cherish the environment we all depend on and learn to live in harmony with nature.
This unique "baby" sculpture has injected new vitality into Guazhou, a small town already rich in artistic buildings and treasures. It signifies that the development of this small town in northwestern China has entered a new stage and opened a new chapter in the town's cultural history.
The sculpture has been endowed with special significance by people. The reason it is called "The Son of the Earth" is to call on humanity to do its utmost to protect the earth's natural resources and advocate for the harmonious coexistence of ecology and human beings. Although nature has the ability to heal itself, it appears extremely vulnerable in the face of the powerful destructive forces of human beings. This sculpture serves as a striking warning and can also be regarded as a guardian of the earth.
It is hoped that one day, the phrase "Protecting the environment is everyone's responsibility" will no longer be just a simple slogan, but a guiding principle that everyone lives by, contributing their part through small actions in daily life.
The earth is the base on which humanity survives. She is like a loving mother, selflessly providing human beings with numerous resources for survival, yet she has suffered one destruction after another at the hands of humans.
We humans are like the children of Mother Earth. Only when we lie in the warm embrace of Mother Earth can we be so peaceful, happy, and filled with a strong sense of security. It is believed that the designer of the sculpture also earnestly hopes that through this work of art, people will be awakened to the concept of caring for the environment and protecting the earth, and that we will work together to create a more harmonious and beautiful living environment.
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