My Proletarian Life (CD included with the book)

Author: Zhang Guangtian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-04-01
Features: Zhang Guangtian: an actionist who achieved success without resources, a cultural adventurer, a myth of modern art. What is Zhang Guangtian's true face? With his "revolutionary theater" such as Che Guevara, The Sage Confucius, Red Star Beauty, and Mr. Lu, he has brought tremors to the Chinese art world, earning a public image described as "revolutionary, radical, obsessive, and somewhat performative." He often wears a Mao Zedong medal pinned to his lapel; sometimes he wears a star-studded octagonal hat to look cool, only to be criticized as a "avant-garde actor" or someone who "performs excessively." The title of this book also seems to align with Zhang Guangtian's consistent "revolutionary style," or perhaps his "performative style." However, he claims that the book is actually intended to reveal his other side—"the opposite of revolution"—because he loves ordinary life so much. The book is Zhang Guangtian's self-narration of his main experiences in singing poetry and theater creation, including his red childhood, labor re-education, years as a wandering singer, his collaboration with Zhang Yimou and Gong Li, and his fiery theater career. Through this, we can see a relatively authentic Zhang Guangtian—in modern China's market economy, he shares contradictions, likes and dislikes, resonance, and struggles with us. What differs is that he may be more radical, purer, and bolder than us. This is a personal biography that tells the story of self-made success. The author is the up-and-coming theater director Zhang Guangtian, who reveals for the first time his legendary journey from an ordinary folk poet who lacked resources and was pushed to the depths of hell, to a wandering adventurer who created a myth of modern art. In recent years, Zhang Guangtian has been a key figure in theatrical practice. The integration of poetry, song, and drama in his works gives them strong emotional impact and artistic. From Che Guevara in 2000 to later works like Mr. Lu, Red Star Beauty, and The Sage Confucius, Zhang Guangtian has triggered earthquakes in the art world. His works represent a cultural transformation at the turn of the century. The book also includes some of Zhang Guangtian's most representative scripts and musical works, providing readers and researchers in the arts, as well as every young person facing adversity and seeking confidence and a way forward!