Why did Zhang Huan invite 40 Chinese peasants to be photographed standing in a pond to raise the water level?

Zhang Huan invited 40 Chinese peasants to be photographed standing in a pond to raise the water level as part of his artistic exploration of human connection to nature and the environment. This performance, titled "Raise the Water Level," symbolically emphasized themes of community, labor, and ecological impact, drawing attention to issues of water scarcity and environmental degradation. By using the peasants as living sculptures, Huan aimed to provoke thought and discussion about the relationship between humanity and the natural world.