What is it about?
This is the first study in English of Chinese visual arts and culture from the mid-20th century to the 21st century. It presents both historical information and specific case studies. Visual material discussed in the book include films, prints, and oil paintings. The study shows the importance of understanding contemporary Chinese visual culture as a creative and continually developing process. Over 90 full-color images appear in this handsome publication.
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Why is it important?
A central argument made in this study is that when we look at contemporary Chinese visual culture from abroad, or more specifically in the West, we need to resist a "dissidence hypothesis," which as a hangover from the Cold War era compels us to interpret every cultural product from China through a political lens. The book demonstrates productive ways of looking at contemporary Chinese cinema and visual arts.
Perspectives
This book grew from many years of observing and teaching contemporary Chinese culture and visual arts. I enjoyed writing it a great deal, because my interest was not in proving an academic thesis or theory, but rather in answering questions on how we may make sense of various visual arts from China, such as a blockbuster film, a famous oil painting like "Great Criticism: Coca-Cola," or the traditional art form of printmaking. I wrote it for students as well as the general public.
Mr Xiaobing Tang
University of Michigan
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Visual Culture in Contemporary China, January 2015, Cambridge University Press,
DOI: 10.1017/cbo9781316026724.
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