Designed by the Beijing-based, Chinese artist Cao Fei (China Tracy in SL), the RMB City can be used by educators to stimulate thought about China and furthermore about globalization. Conceived as a metaphor by an artist, it is not overtly didactic. So, it could foster some individual reflection among students as well some lively group discussions.
RMB City will be constructed within three months. The city's grand opening is scheduled for October 2008; and the city will then remain in place for two years, until October 2010.
Already, we can use the resource in SL — and everyone can on the WWW.
Now in SL:
- The RMB City Preview Center, opened July 26, 2008 — a floating building from which we may watch the construction taking place — and where we may learn about the city through videos, photos, and text.
- A group that we can join for updates, "Friends of RMB City".
- The RMB City project website — where a vivid picture of a model of the city is currently available for all to see.
The project website should be finished next month, August 2008 (or so I've been told during my visit to the Preview Center). - The Serpentine Gallery website — which will be publishing updates about the gallery's videos and perhaps even some live feeds about the construction and then the grand opening in SL.
To coincide with the opening of the Preview Center in SL, an exhibit in the Serpentine Gallery was launched in London in real life last weekend: "Cao Fei: RMB City".
With the Gallery's announcement, you will find two videos about the city.
RMB City, a set of evocative images, a metaphor:
