Don’t Fly Too Close to the Sun

Wenrui Zhao

Graphic Design / Digital collages

Download the digital collages here.



Don’t Fly Too Close to the Sun investigates the architectural similarities between communist monuments from the Cold-War period and contemporary Chinese state-sponsored buildings in Africa. It explores the connection between Postmodernist architecture and the unique Postmodern blend which China exports to Africa. 

The name of this project reflects the ambition to modernise under controversial conditions. The title refers to the myth of Icarus, who ignored his father’s warning and flew too close to the sun – causing his wax wings to melt.