The year is 2029. In the mountainous region of southern Anhui Province lies Huizhou, a place renowned for its centuries-old agricultural traditions. Known for rice cultivation, tea production, and sustainable forestry, Huizhou’s unique landscape and climate have given rise to farming techniques rooted in harmony with nature, soil preservation, and resource efficiency. The Chinese government has recently introduced precision (AI) agriculture and widespread robotic farming, automating rice cultivation across the nation.

This transformation displaced humanity’s role in the Sancai (三才) — the Taoist relationship between heaven, earth, and humankind — a guiding principle for traditional Chinese agriculture for generations. This shift reflects China's broader narrative: a nation that has, over the past three decades, used technology to lift millions out of poverty and create a more equitable society. Automation in agriculture is heralded as a blueprint for other developing countries, showcasing technology as a tool for systemic change. This is what Sinofuturism seeks to unpack: “What do we lose when machines take our place in traditions that once defined our connection to the land?”

Materials Used: Resin, Rice Grains, Woven Straw Basket, Liangmao, Small Shovel, Small Rake, Small Spade, Bag of Jasmine Rice, LCD Screen

This project was created for the NYU IMA Low Residency Critical Experiences class taught by Sarah Hakani.