These Hands Don't Lie delves into the intersection of history, memory, and endangered Chinese crafts, spotlighting Chengdu. Focused on five endangered crafts — velvet flowers, bamboo weaving, silver flower filigree, oiled paper umbrellas, and Sichuan tea — the project explores their impact on urban life. The kinetic installation, ‘Back and Forth’, features five asynchronous pendulums metaphorically portraying the passage of time and the decline of craftsmanship amid urban change.

Craftsmanship's vulnerability to urban development, contrasts with its strength in personal narratives and memories, representing individuality and cultural identity. The installation utilises velvet flowers to blend tradition with modernity.

Aspiring to be a crafts protector, the author became an expert through self-teaching and iterative processes. This journey, marked by time, patience, and movement, deepens appreciation for craftsmanship. A companion film and book document this research, shedding light on urban memory and traditional craftsmanship's status in Chengdu. The project uncovers traditional craftsmanship as a casualty of urban expansion in collective memories.