This project deals with issues related to ethnic identity and the sense of
belonging to the Dong minority in China. A workshop and a working system for
the diaspora of this community will be designed for Dong People to work
together through virtual craft regardless of distance.

A virtual village will co-exist with the physical one. A physical workshop that is built within the village, and a virtual replica that allows people in different place to come together. People could either attend the workshop physically from the village, or access the virtual workshop through VR platforms, no matter wher are they. Inside of the workshop, separated villagers could collectively work with headset and hands to carve wood, weave, and make jewellery around the shared model table.

This project is trying to seize the core of the ritual of Dong’s gathering, the synchrony, and maintain their ethnic identity, regain the sense of community belonging through virtual crafting. It provides possibility for remote access and multiple ways of experiencing the village, creates new form of business, for the villagers to make a living, and makes it possible to share instead of sell your traditions with dignity.