The Invention of the Dragon

︎︎︎Project Overview

A search for an image that most accurately encapsulates the symbol of Chinese patriotism—one enforced by mainstream narratives yet fundamentally a construct. The dragon, widely promoted as a symbol of the Chinese people, stands as a fabricated concept rather than an inherent reality. While often regarded as descendants of the dragon, this notion has been shaped and propagated over the past century by intellectuals and revolutionaries, rather than emerging organically from tradition.

The Invention of the Dragon delves into this constructed symbolism, using the dragon’s image as a lens for deconstruction. Transparent pages, layered with cultural artifacts from various minority groups that historically inhabited the territories now known as China, come together to form the familiar dragon emblem. As the pages turn, the seemingly unified symbol fractures, revealing fragmented and overlooked narratives—challenging the illusion of a monolithic national identity.