China: Art teacher creates optical illusion of Great Wall with red sorghum grains – Here’s why he surprised his grandmother | Today’s news
An art teacher in China’s Shanxi province has gained widespread attention online after creating an impressive ground artwork of the Great Wall of China using red sorghum grains, fulfilling his 80-year-old grandmother’s long-held wish to visit the iconic landmark.
The 35-year-old creator, surnamed Liang, hails from Jiexiu, Shanxi Province. He arranged thousands of locally grown sorghum grains on the ground to recreate the look of the Great Wall, turning an ordinary floor into an elaborate artistic representation of one of China’s most famous historical structures.
The unusual work of art was not just an artistic experiment. Liang created it as a gift for his grandmother, who never had the chance to visit the Great Wall in person.
Knowing that she always wanted to see the landmark, he decided to bring it to her instead.
How Liang recreated the Great Wall using sorghum grains
Liang used red sorghum grains harvested by his family to construct a detailed ground display. By carefully arranging the grains, he recreated the zigzag structure of the Great Wall, including its elevated parts and the surrounding landscape.
The artwork reportedly took him approximately five to six hours to complete.
What makes the creation particularly remarkable is the use of perspective. When viewed directly from above, the grain arrangement resembles a miniature representation of the Great Wall.
However, the visual effect becomes even more impressive when photographed from a certain angle.
Liang used an extended selfie stick to capture a photo with his grandmother, creating an optical illusion that makes it look like the two are standing on the Great Wall itself.
Perspective transforms ground-based artwork into what appears to be a real landscape, allowing Grandma to experience a virtual visit to a historic structure without actually traveling there.
Why he created a work of art for his grandmother
The motivation behind Liang’s creation was deeply personal.
His 80-year-old grandmother had never visited the Great Wall, despite wanting to see the famous monument. Instead of simply gifting her something or taking her on a simple trip, Liang came up with an idea that combined his artistic skills with his desire to fulfill her wishes.
By restoring the monument using locally available sorghum grains, he gave his grandmother the opportunity to feel as if she had finally visited a historic site.
The artwork also reflected his family’s relationship with agriculture, as the grains used in the creation were harvested by his family.
Images and videos of Liang’s creation have since circulated widely on social media, with viewers praising the creativity behind the optical illusion and the thoughtfulness of the gesture.