Post-Visit Guide from China Institute Gallery

Humanism in China:
A Contemporary Record of Photography

September 24-December 13, 2009

Suggestions

How do we interpret an exhibition of 100 photographs which purports to cover half a century of Chinese history? Below are a few considerations and questions of different emphases or approaches you might take in discussing this topic. Divide yourselves into groups of 4-5 and select one or two questions to discuss for 15-20 minutes. Then meet for a quick presentation by your group and discussion by the class.

• What is the message? What decisions do you think the photographer made to convey that message?

• What do you think the photographer had to do to be in position to take such a photo?

• Do you feel that there are also cultural differences that reflect what Chinese and Americans choose to shoot?

• If you were assigned as a photographer to work in China what kind of pictures would you want to take?

• What is the story you would like to tell? Would you concentrate more on beautiful sites, shots, people or more on telling a story? Why?