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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 contents
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 LINA'S 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 FEI'S '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.
About the author
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.
