If Exhibition: “Migration” – A Story of Rural to Urban Migration in China

In 2011, Z Square Studio proudly presented the If Exhibition, centered around the theme of migration, with a specific focus on China’s rural-to-urban migrant workers. This self-curated exhibition explored one of the most pressing social issues of modern China: the migration of farmers from rural areas to major cities in search of better economic opportunities.

The exhibition highlighted the stories of these migrant workers, also known as farmer-workers. Although they work tirelessly in large cities, many earn less than one-third of the average wage for urban workers. The exhibition aimed to shed light on their lives, working conditions, and the challenges they face, not just economically, but also socially.

Exhibition Elements:

• Posters & Catalog Books: These materials showcased stories, photographs, and detailed accounts of migrant workers’ lives, focusing on their struggles and aspirations.
• Bookmarks: A creative way to engage visitors, featuring key themes of the exhibition in bite-sized insights.

Six Key Themes Explored in the Exhibition:

1. Job Opportunities: Examining the employment options available to rural migrants and their harsh working conditions.
2. Social Security: Addressing the lack of adequate social benefits for migrant workers.
3. Public Health: The disparities in healthcare access and the impact on migrant families.
4. Housing Problems: Exploring the difficulties of affordable housing in cities.
5. Gender Discrimination: Investigating how migrant women face unique challenges in urban environments.
6. Children’s Education: The struggle for migrant families to secure quality education for their children.

This exhibition was an attempt to bring awareness to the harsh realities faced by rural migrants, offering a deeper understanding of the human side of China’s urbanization. The If Exhibition not only engaged audiences but also sparked conversations about social equality, labor rights, and migration challenges within modern-day China.