Untitled (As a Famous Person is Very Well -- 出人真好)

Creator(s)

Shao-Ruo ZHAO 赵少若

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Date

8-1995

Format

Photograph

Materials

Photo Paper

Dimensions

25 x 15 cm

Description

In these photographs, the artist stands in front of Tiananmen (Gate of Heavenly Peace) in Beijing, China. His image is blurry and the focus of the photograph lays on the gateway where. Mao Zedong's image can be clearly seen. On each photograph, the artist has included both Chinese and English text. 出名真好”(“It's great to be famous"). As a Famous Person is Very Well.” He has also included his name in Chinese characters on the side of each image and in pinyin on the bottom. The artist may be inviting the viewer to think about the role of interruption and presence, especially in contrast against propaganda. In 1989, Zhao was deeply involved in the Tiananmen Square democracy movement while attending the Central Academy of Fine Arts. He was arrested for his efforts after the movement was suppressed. He was released the next year. Then, in 1994 he was arrested again for 50 days. This experience may have informed the artist to think about fame and the ways in which an individual may be perceived. (Nicole Wang ‘26)