Imperial Palace in Memory - International Photography Collection of the Forbidden City

Author: None
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-11-01
Features: The world-renowned 80th anniversary celebration of the Palace Museum was launched with the "Forbidden City International Photography Exhibition" on October 1, 2004. The imperial palace has transformed into a museum for the people, and the 80th anniversary of this historic change is worth preserving in modern images. Over 30 photographers from around the world had the opportunity to display their representative works—their personal records of different civilizations of humanity—in the great Forbidden City of China. More importantly, they were able to shoot inside the Forbidden City, a lifelong dream for each of them. When they aimed their lenses at the Forbidden City, a place with nearly 600 years of history, I knew they couldn’t hide the deep excitement in their hearts. Mr. Yann Layma from France told me more than once that they deeply understood what kind of city it was. It was a city where 24 Chinese emperors once lived, now welcoming 8 million visitors annually, and the largest and best-preserved ancient architectural complex in the world. They neither wasted a moment nor rushed. They carefully searched for their focal points and adjusted their focus diligently. They pressed the shutter button again and again, turning moments into eternity—thus, the impression of the Forbidden City was vividly preserved. The Forbidden City is such a great city. From an iconographic perspective, there is no doubt that it can withstand the scrutiny of any discerning photographer. It can withstand being photographed, searched for, and discovered. A Chinese photographer named Li Shaobai, who has taken over 10,000 photos of the Forbidden City, said that every time he enters the Forbidden City, there is always a new feeling and discovery with every moment. He said that this sense is something he has never experienced while photographing any other place. He himself found it strange. He believes that no matter how he shoots, he can never fully capture the essence of the Forbidden City. Some landscapes are suitable for being expressed through grand scenes to convey grandeur, while others are suitable for being meticulously detailed to showcase intricacy and refinement. The Forbidden City is suitable for both. What particularly stunned the photographers was the endless variations of ancient Chinese architecture, represented by the Forbidden City, under different temporal, spatial, and lighting conditions. This scene, combined with the personal photographic language of each photographer, was truly boundless. The "Forbidden City Images" column in the Forbidden City magazine states: "The greatness of the Forbidden City lies in the fact that it has long been condensed into classic images. The Forbidden City images, both frozen and ever-changing, belong to its creators, to all who have seen it in the nearly 600 years, and to the eyes and hearts of every individual." I appreciate every photographer who strengthens my understanding of the Forbidden City through their discoveries and photographic language. Because those exquisite, personal images always evoke a special feeling in me about the Forbidden City, especially when details that I usually overlooked suddenly become particularly outstanding, brilliant, or even classic.