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I See the World through the Lens of My Camera

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Norman A. Spencer

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Li Xianting, public intellectual, art critic, director Li Xianting Film Fund, Songzhuang Artist Village, Beijing, 2015
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Yue Minjun, artist, singing the blues, Songzhuang Artist Village, Beijing 2015
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Yang Haijun (Yang Zi) – curator for the first Unrestricted New Image Festival, Beijing Film Academy, 2001
Statue of Yu Luoke (victim of Cultural Revolution), Songzhuang Artist Village, Beijing, 2018
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Zhu Rikun, documentary film director, founder Fanhall Center of the Arts, curator DOChina and Beijing Independent Film Festival, NYC, 2008
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Poster for the 9th Beijing Independent Film Festival, Songzhuang Artist Village, Beijing, 2012
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Ying Weiwei, director, The Box (2001), first Chinese documentary about a lesbian relationship, Beijing, 2001
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Li Xianting, public intellectual, art critic, director Li Xianting Film Fund, Songzhuang Artist Village, Beijing, 2015
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Poster for the 6th China Documentary Film Festival, Songzhuang Artist Village, Beijing, 2009
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Tee shirt image for the First Unrestricted New Image Festival, Beijing Film Academy, 2001
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Poster for the first Unrestricted New Image Festival, Beijing Film Academy, 2001
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French poster for Living Dance Studio with image of lead dancer Wang Ya’nan. Beijing, 2010
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Wen Hui, choreographer for Dance with Farm Workers (2001), at art exhibition, Beijing, 2001
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Wen Hui, director Dance with Third Grandmother (2015) at NYU, New York City, 2018
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Caochangdi Work Station, designed by artist Ai Weiwei, studio for Wen Hui’s Living Dance Studio and Wu Wenguang’s collaborative documentary film projects. Beijing, 2007
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Wu Wenguang, director Bumming in Beijing: The Last Dreamers (1990) and Jiang Hu: On the Road (1999) in restaurant. Beijing, 2001
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Living Dance Studio rehearsal, Tian Bei and Wang Yanan, Chao Chang Di Work Station, Beijing, 2005.
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Wu Wenguang, organizer and curator, Folk Memory Project (2010- present), NYU, NYC, 2011
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Caochangdi Work Station, designed by artist Ai Weiwei, studio for Wen Hui’s Living Dance Studio and Wu Wenguang’s collaborative documentary film projects. Beijing, 2007
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Wu Wenguang, director Bumming in Beijing: The Last Dreamers (1990) and Jiang Hu: On the Road (1999) in apartment. Beijing, 2001
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Rehearsal, Wen Hui with Living Dance Studio, Beijing, 2001.
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Signed film poster for Xiao Shan Going Home given to Norman by Jia Zhangke, Beijing, 2001
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Jia Zhangke’s hometown, Feyang, Shanxi Province, 2002
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Poster for book My Camera Doesn’t Lie (2002), handed out at reception at Beijing University, 2002
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Jia Zhangke filming 24 City (2008), Chengdu, 2007
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Jia Zhangke filming 24 City (2008), Chengdu, 2007
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Signed film poster for Platform given to Norman by Jia Zhangke, Beijing, 2001
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Zhang Ming, director Rainclounds over Wushan (1995), in apartment on campus of Beijing Film Academy, Beijing, 1999
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Hai Bo, poet, sitting in front of signed film poster for Xiao Wu, Dali, 2010
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Jiang Wen, director Devils on the Doorstep (2000) at Columbia University, NYC, 2012
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Jia Zhangke, director Xiao Wu (1997) and Platform (2000) in studio, Beijing, 2001
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Zhao Tao, leading actress in Jia Zhangke’s films, in coffee shop, Shanghai, 2007
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Jia Zhangke at Columbia University, NYC. 2007.
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Sinned film poster for Platform given to Norman by Jia Zhangke, Beijing ,2002
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Wang Xiaoshuai, director So Close to Paradise (1998) in Wang Bar, Beijing, 2002
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Yu Hua is is an internationally acclaimed avant-garde novelist and short story writer who has been a major influence on Chinese contemporary culture. He is one of the subjects of Jia Zhangke’s documentary film Swimming Till the Sea Turns Blue (2020), Beijing, 2009.
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Jia Zhangke, director Xiao Wu (1997) and Platform (2000) in studio, Beijing, 2001
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Zhao Tao, leading actress in Jia Zhangke’s films, in coffee shop, Shanghai, 2007
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Jia Zhangke filming 24 City (2008), Chengdu, 2007
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Jia Zhangke and Zhao Tao at Asia Society during The Jia Zhangke Retrospective at MoMA, NYC, 2010.
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Signed film poster for Still Life given to Norman by Jia Zhangke, NYC, 2009
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Li Yang, director Blind Shaft (2003) with Peng Xiaojian, Norman’s wife, at Columbia University, NYC, 2007
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Ning Ying, director Beijing Trilogy (1992, 1995, 2001) at friend’s apartment, Beijing, 2000
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Lou Ye, director Suzhou River and Summer Palace, MoMA, NYC, 2003.
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Zhou Xun is the actress for Lou Ye’s famous independent film Suzhou River. Photograph was taken on the set for one of Li Shaohong’s films, Beijing, 2002.
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Zhou Xun is the actress for Lou Ye’s famous independent film Suzhou River. Photograph was taken on the set for one of Li Shaohong’s films, Beijing, 2002.
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Zhou Xun is the actress for Lou Ye’s famous independent film Suzhou River. Photograph was taken on the set for one of Li Shaohong’s films, Beijing, 2002.
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Li Shaohong is an important female member of the 5th Generation of Chinese film directors. Her films Bloody Monday (1990) and Blush (1994) won many international awards. Photograph was taken while sooting one of her films, Beijing, 2002.
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Wang Chao, director Luxury Car (2006), NYC, 2007
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Pema Tseden, Tibetan director Old Dog (2011), Tharlo (2015) and Jinpa (2018), NYC, 2014
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Pema Tseden, Tibetan Chinese director with Kevin Lee, a vice president for dGenerate Films and Sally Berger, film curator, MoMA, NYC, 2014
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Pema Tseden, Tibetan director Old Dog (2011), Tharlo (2015) and Jinpa (2018), NYC, 2014
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Fang Ke, important Chinese rock musician, performing at art exhibition, NYC, 2004.
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Zhang Yang, director Quitting (2001) Paths of the Soul (2015), Dali, 2015
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Zhang Yang, director Quitting (2001) and Paths of the Soul (2015), Dali, 2014
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Chinese rock musician with Chinese singer girlfriend, Beijing, 2000.
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Liu Bingjian, director, LGBT film, Men and Women (1999) Beijing University, 2001
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Cui Zi’en, writer, screenwriter, Men and Women (1999), director Enter the Clowns (2002), Queer Cinema “ Comrade” China (2009) , Beijing University, 2001
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Li Yu, director Fish and Elephant (2001) first Chinese feature film to depict a lesbian relationship, Beijing, 2002
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Li Yu, director Fish and Elephant (2001) first Chinese feature film to depict a lesbian relationship, Beijing, 2002
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Li Yu, director Fish and Elephant (2001) first Chinese feature film to depict a lesbian relationship, Beijing, 2002
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Xiao Yu, reporter for China Weekly, Beijing University, 2001
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University students at reception for 1st Chinese Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, Beijing University, 2001
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Shi Tou, artist and filmmaker, director Dyke March (2004), Beijing University, 2001
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Shi Tou and friend, reception for 1st Chinese Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, 2001
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Shi Tou and friends, reception for 1st Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, Beijing University, 2001
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Cui Zi’en and friends, reception for 1st Chinese Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, 2001
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Poster for Shanghai Panic (2002)
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Caspar & girlfriend who played themselves in Shanghai Panic (2002), Shanghai, 2002
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Coco, jazz singer who played himself in Shanghai Panic (2002), Shanghai, 2002
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Andrew Y.S. Cheng, director Shanghai Panic (2002), Shanghai, 2002
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Caspar & girlfriend who played themselves in Shanghai Panic (2002), Shanghai, 2002
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Caspar’s girlfriend who played herself in Shanghai Panic (2002), Shanghai, 2002
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Mian Mian, writer who played herself in Shanghai Panic (2002) based on one of her short stories, Shanghai, 2002
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Coco, jazz singer who played himself in Shanghai Panic (2002), Shanghai, 2002
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Ai Weiwei, artist, director Disturbing the Peace (2009), Human Flow (2017), Coronation (2020), NYC, 2006
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Yang Lina, director Lao Tou (1999), Home Video (2001), Longing for the Rain (2013), Beijing, 2001
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Yang Lina, director Lao Tou (1999), Home Video (2001), Longing for the Rain (2013), NYC, 2012
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Du Haibin, director Along the Railway (2003), 1428 (2009), NYU 2010
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Wang Fen, director They Are Not the Only Unhappy Couple (2000), Beijing, 2001
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Yang Lina, director Lao Tou (1999), Home Video (2001), Longing for the Rain (2013), Beijing, 2001
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Du Haibin’s wife, NYC, 2012
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Jian Yi, director, with wife outside Norman’s house, Brooklyn, N.Y. 2009. Jian Yi was the co-organizer with Wu Wenguang for China Village Documentary Project
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Yang Lina in front of Norman and Xioajian house in Brooklyn, NY where she was living during an Asia Council fellowship in 2013
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Wang Fen, director They Are Not the Only Unhappy Couple (2000), Beijing, 2001
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Poster for Yang Lina’s film Lao Tou / Old Men (1999)
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Yang Lina in front of Norman and Xioajian house in Brooklyn, NY where she was living during an Asia Council fellowship in 2013
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Xu Xing, writer, director A Chronicle of My Cultural Revolution (2005-2007), Beijing, 2002
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Wang Bing, director, West of the Tracks (2003), The Ditch (2010), Bitter Money (2016)，Asia Society, NYC, 2018
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Xu Xin, director Karamay (2010), MoMA, NYC 2011
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Yang Rui, director, Crossing the Mountain (2009), NYU, NYC, 2006
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Wang Bo, upcoming documentary film director, Asia Society, NYC, 2018
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Zhang Mengqi, documentary film director in NYC, 2013
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Group photograph at Norman’s house: Liu Xiaojin and Xiaojian with ethnic minority singers and dancers from Yuansheng Studio, Brooklyn, 2009.
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Tea in Liu Xiaojin’s artist cafe: Ye Yongqing, artist, Fu Liya, artist, Niu Niu, Xiaojian, Liu Xiaojin and Mao Xuhui, Kunming, 2011.
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Zhou Duo is an important intellectual who taught at Beijing University. His wife is the documentary film director Zhao Yangying. Photograph was taken in his apartment while discussing an independent film project on Xing Xing artists and Jintian writers organized by Norman Spencer, Beijing, 2001.
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Wen Pulin, important Chinese artist and documentary film director, with Zang Honghua at his birthday party outside of Beijing near the Great Wall,
2011.
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Zhao Dayang, director Ghost Town (2008), Shadow Days (2014) with Peng Xiaojian, Norman’s wife, NYC, 2018
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Ying Liang, director Taking Father Home (2005), The Other Half (2006), Lincoln Center, NYC, 2009
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Yang Jin, Ying Liang and Zhang Lu at Columbia University, NYC 2009
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Yang Li, Ying Liang and Zhang Lu at Columbia University, NYC 2009
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Huang Weikai, director Floating (2004), Disorder (2009), NYU, NYC, 2010
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Liu Xiaojin is one of the first women documentary film directors . She has made independent ethnographic films and films for television stations in Kunming. One of her early films, In Search of Cobra (1999), documents the lives of women artists in Beijing. Photograph was taken in Kunming, 2011.
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Wu Wenguang, organizer and curator Folk Memory Project (2010- present) and documentary film director Zhang Mengqi in Chaochangdi Work Station, Beijing, 2001
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Gu Xuer is an importan poet who also makes independent ethnographic films. Photograph was taken in her husband’s house in Li Jiang, 2013.
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Xu Xin, documentary film director, and Zhu Rikun, curator for independent films, in wine bar in NYC, 2011
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Xu Xin, documentary film director, with Karin Chien, director dGenerate Films in wine bar in NYC, 2011.
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Xu Xin, documentary film director, with American documentary film dirctor in wine bar in NYC, 2011.
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Yang Jin, director Er Dong (2008), Lincoln Center, NYC, 2009
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Zhang Lü, Korean Chinese director, Grain in the Ear (2005), Desert Dream (2007) Dooman River (2011)
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Li Xiaofeng, director Wu Ding River (2007), My Last Secret (2008), Brooklyn, N.Y. 2012
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Niu Niu , daughter of Liu Xiaojian studied fashion design in Paris, France. Photograph was taken in Kunming, 2011.
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Zhao Yangying is a documentary film director who worked for Beijing TV Station. Photograph was taken in her apartment while discussing an independent film project on Xing Xing artists and Jintian writers organized by Norman Spencer, Beijing, 2001.
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Group phograph at Mao Xuhui’s studio: Tang Ying, writer, Mao Xuhui, artist (Liu Xiaojin’s husband), Niu Niu (Liu Xiaojin’s daughter), Liu Xiaojin, documentary film director, Zhang Xian, theatre director, and Peng Xiaojian (Norman’s wife), Kunming, 2007.
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Wen Pulin, important Chinese artist and documentary film director at his birthday party outside of Beijing near the Great Wall,
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Yan Li, poet, artist with Liu Sola, composer, singer, writer, in Sola’s apartment, NYC, 2000
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Yue Minjun, artist, Huo Feng, singer, and Tao Hong, actress in Yue Minjun’s house, Dali, 2015
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Ma Jian,
award winning writer who has been living in England for many years. His social critique resembles the implied criticism in many Chinese independent films, NYC, 2019.
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Mo Yan, novelist and short story writer was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2012. He is associated with the “high culture fever” of the 1980s. Zhang Yimou’s important film Red Sorghum (1987) was based on his novel NYC, 2014.
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Two actresses at a publicity event organized by Zhou Zhubing, Wang Xiaoshui’s close friend, Beijing, 2014.
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Yan Li, poet, artist with Liu Sola, composer, singer, writer, in Sola’s apartment, NYC, 2000
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Zhang Yang, film director, Yu Er (Yue Minjun’s wife) and Cao Weiyu in Yue Minjun’s house, Dali, 2015
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Bei Dao internationally acclaimed poet and editor of Jintian / Today whose writing inspired his generation and the student activist generation of the 1980s, NYC, 2000.
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Gao Xingjian, Chinese writer who lives in France. He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2012. He was an influential avant-garde playwright in Beijing during the early 1980’s. Photograph was taken in his Paris apartment, 2008.
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Xu Bing with Zhang Huan, NYC, 2000
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Poster for REEL CHINA Documentary Biennial Festival, 2008.
Organizer & Curator : Zhang Pingjie, REC Foundation, Poster Designer: Xu Bing
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Yan Li, poet, artist with Liu Sola, composer, singer, writer, in Sola’s apartment, NYC, 2000
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Xiao Lu feminist artist whose radical work Dialogue (1989) inspired writers, artists and film directors to depict social reality in their work, Beijing, 2006.
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Gao Xingjian, Chinese writer who lives in France. He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2012. He was an influential avant-gard playwright in Beijing during the early 1980’s. Photograph was taken in his Paris apartment, 2008.
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Mang Ke, poet, and family in Yue Minjun’s house, Dali, 2017
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Xiaojian in Zheng Lianjie’s studio, NYC, 2005. Xiaojian, Norman’s wife, with Zheng Lianjie. Lianjie is a well-known performance artist and ink painter
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Poster for 3rd REEL CHINA Documentary Biennial Festival, 2006
Organizer & Curator : Zhang Pingjie, REC Foundation，Poster Designer: Zheng Lianjie

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