This book offers a multifaceted investigation of the dynamic interrelations between visual arts and representation interdependent to urban spaces in China.
This edited volume provides a multifaceted investigation of the dynamic interrelations between visual arts and urbanization in contemporary Mainland China with a focus on unseen representations and urban interventions brought about by the transformations of the urban space and the various problems associated with it. Through a wide range of illuminating case studies, the authors demonstrate how innovative artistic and creative practices initiated by various stakeholders not only raise critical awareness on socio-political issues of Chinese urbanization but also actively reshape the urban living spaces. The formation of new collaborations, agencies, aesthetics and cultural production sites facilitate diverse forms of cultural activism as they challenge the dominant ways of interpreting social changes and encourage civic participation in the production of alternative meanings in and of the city. Their significance lies in their potential to question current values and power structures as well as to foster new subjectivities for disparate individuals and social groups.
LIST OF FIGURES, ENGAGEMENT WITH THE URBAN: VISUAL ARTS AS A FORM OF
CULTURAL ACTIVISM IN CONTEMPORARY CHINA PART I: REPRESENTATIONS CHAPTER 1
FROM SIDEWALK REALISM TO SPECTRAL ROMANCE: YANG LINAS BEIJING AND BEYOND
CHAPTER 2 URBAN HISTORY FROM BELOW: THE ARTWORKS OF ZHANG DALI, JIN FENG AND
DAI GUANGYU CHAPTER 3 THE TRANSIENT CITY: URBAN TRANSFORMATION IN CHINESE
CONTEMPORARY PHOTOGRAPHY CHAPTER 4 SHADOW OF THE SPECTACULAR: PHOTOGRAPHING
SOCIAL CONTROL AND INEQUALITY IN URBAN CHINA CHAPTER 5 CHINA DREAMING
REPRESENTING THE PERFECT PRESENT, ANTICIPATING THE ROSY FUTURE PART II: URBAN
INTERVENTIONS CHAPTER 6 URBAN INSERTION AS ARTISTIC STRATEGY: THE BIG TAIL
ELEPHANT WORKING GROUP IN 1990S GUANGZHOU CHAPTER 7 CAO FEIS MAGICAL
METROPOLISES CHAPTER 8 RELOCATING FURTHER OR STANDING GROUND? UNOFFICIAL
ARTISTS AND INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS IN THE BEIJING PERIPHERY CHAPTER 9 OUT OF
SERVICE: MIGRANT WORKERS AND PUBLIC SPACE IN BEIJING CHAPTER 10 TRANSLOCAL
SITE-RESPONSIVENESS OF URBAN CREATIVITY IN MAINLAND CHINA.
Dr. Minna Valjakka holds a Title of Adjunct Professor of Art History and Asian Studies at the University of Helsinki. Dr. Meiqin Wang is Professor of Art History at California State University, Northridge.
