No water needed for Beijing hotel’s Christmas tree with a message
The Christmas tree at the Opposite House hotel in Beijing isn’t a tree at all. It’s a sculpture that depicts the four-character Chinese saying shiwai taoyuan which the title of the piece translates as “A Haven of Peace and Happiness.”
The sculpture by Dutch-born Chinese artist Laurens Tan measures 17 feet tall, and the characters read from top to bottom. There’s even a bit of green on the top too.
The saying depicted in the sculpture comes from an old fable about a fisherman who finds a village called Peach Blossom Spring where everyone lives in peace and harmony. He’s treated well by the residents, but once he leaves, he can never find his way back.
The un-tree will be on display at the hotel through Jan. 6.
Mary.Forgione@latimes.com
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