Humanism in China:
A Contemporary Record of Photography

September 24-December 13, 2009

Pre-Visit Guide from China Institute Gallery

Introduction

This exhibition displays the first large-scale collection of documentary photography acquired by any museum in the People’s Republic of China and offers a visual commentary on life in China between the years 1951 and 2003. These photographs display an extraordinary range of human emotion and activity—urban and rural, public and private. They reflect the radical change China has gone through in the past half century and break through the stereotypes of life in China.

Engaging with a Photograph

Even though the photographs in this exhibition have captions describing the scene, it can be a beneficial exercise to contemplate the details of a photograph and try to interpret it on one’s own. The following are questions one may ask while looking at a photograph:

• What are the people in the photograph doing?

• How are they dressed?

• What kind of mood are these people in?

• What seems to be the relationship and feeling between the persons in the photograph?

What do photographers do? They take pictures. The picture could be of anything. However, the photographers who bring more understanding and awareness to what they see are also giving meaning to the picture they create. In photography, as with other kinds of art, factors such as composition, color, and perspective play an important role in constructing the message that the photograph conveys. What is the message the photographer is trying to convey? Does the photographer succeed in conveying this message? Upon viewing these photographs what kind of impressions do you have of China? Do you consider these photographs primarily works of art or rather documentary material? After viewing these photographs were your initial impressions of China changed in any way? Could the scenes being depicted take place in America?

Find a photograph that looks interesting and try to make up your own story for it. Of course, you won’t know whether your story is right or not but you may find your own story interesting and that it has made the photograph more interesting.