Turn of the Century (Visual Memory of Social Changes in China with CD-ROM)

Author: Gu Zheng, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-09-01
Features: The second part of the Huamei Association's exhibition "Turning of the Century – Visual Memory of Contemporary China" reflects on the consequences of Maoism sweeping across China and Western modernism. Organized by Shanghai photographer Gu Zheng, this exhibition features seven photographers who approach the vast theme in a unique way. The book showcases the real-life reality of contemporary China, although some scenes may not be aesthetically pleasing, they represent a responsible gaze, revealing a healthy confidence and authenticity. The Chinese photographers' focus on real life and their courage and sincerity in recording it are something any reader who genuinely cares about reality can feel. As Roland Barthes discovered, photography is neither art nor technology, but "magic."