Yiran Yang

I live in the industrial metropolis of Chongqing in south-west China. In 2011 they started building a huge bridge across the Yangtze near my home, as well as an accompanying flyover, and a host of very tall metal poles sprang up by the roadside. I found it rather magical every time I went past them in a taxi - like suddenly entering a beautiful steel forest. Every time I saw them I told myself that I must return with a camera, but I never did. By 2013, the metal forest had been covered with concrete. Of course, it's not the only bridge planned in Chongqing - there are two bridges being built right now and there will doubtless be more in the future. Steel is one of the most commonly-seen materials in the cityscapes of developing countries and it's strong and cheap - like the migrant workers who do the building. 'Jungle Stories' is also made from steel rods - useful, dependable, elegant.
2011年，在中国西南的城市——重庆开始修建一座大桥跨过长江。施工地离我居住的地方不太远。路边竖起了许多巨大的钢铁桥墩。每次乘坐出租车从那些桥墩间穿过，我都非常兴奋，感觉就像突然间进入了一个钢铁的丛林，就像魔法一样。它们那么漂亮！每次我都对自己说下次一定要带着相机回来，但我从来也没有。2013年大桥完工了，钢铁丛林的桥墩覆盖上了混凝土。这当然不是重庆修建的最后一座大桥，现在正有两座长江上的大桥在同时施工，将来还会有更多。在一个发展中国家的城市，钢筋是一种最常见的材料，并且坚韧又便宜——就像城市里随处可见的外来民工。《丛林的故事》正是由这种最常见的建筑材料制作——耐用，可靠而优雅。