Turn of the Century: Visual Memories of Social Change in China ()

Author: Gu Zheng
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 includes seven photographers who approach a vast theme in a unique way. The book showcases the real-life reality of contemporary China, although some scenes may not be aesthetically pleasing, it is a responsible gaze thats a healthy confidence and authenticity. The Chinese photographers' focus on real life and their courage and sincerity in recording reality can be felt by any reader who genuinely cares about it. As Roland Barthes discovered, photography is neither art nor technology, but "magic."