Seriously. There is a Shekou office called the Shekou Subdistrict Census Office for Information on the Handling of Illegal Buildings Leftover from the History of Rural Urbanization. But the signage is well balanced. And think of the cocktail party conversations this business card could spark!
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About Mary Ann O'Donnell
I have conducted ethnographic research in Shenzhen since 1995, aiming to make legible the shifting cultural landscapes of China’s oldest and fastest growing “Special Economic Zone.” My interests and interventions include theorizing the cultural logics of postsocialist urbanization, photography and creative documentation of the changing cityscape, and ongoing collaboration with Fat Bird Theatre, Shenzhen. More generally, I attempt to document, understand, and critically participate in the post Cold War production of industrial cosmographies, with an eye to imagining cross-culturally resonant forms of sustainable globalization.
Great find, Mary… this is absolutely archetypal!! This country is incomprehensible for my half-German, half-Norwegian brain.
Hi Nora!
Long time no hear! I hope you are well. I find the the nomenclature stifling — the function is so specific as to pre-empt any larger vision. Unless, of course, their job is simply to county the number of illegal houses? But if so why a separate office? Why not just include the task in regular census activities? Unless, of course, its another land grab strategy, in which case it makes perfect cents (sense)!
I have no idea what the signage says but from the sounds of it it’s very confusing.