Photo Journal Monday: Alex Huanfa Cheng
A woman is swimming with a sun protection mask face-kini in Weihai. © Alex Huanfa Cheng
Chinese Wonderland
I was born in a rural area of China, and now I’m living in Paris. Every time I return to China, I leave with a deep impression that China is changing fast. The potentates promote the “Chinese Dream”—dare to dream, work assiduously to fulfill the dreams, and contribute to the revitalization of the nation. Under the philosophy of pragmatism and copinism, the society has a single ideology and thoughts are controlled. Economic profit is the priority for Chinese people. The economy takes off, but it brings many surreal and incongruous landscapes. Most people become philistine and have no spiritual pursuit. Some like to dress in colorful clothes and seem to be embracing the idea of a wonderland, while others seem to no longer belong in the place they live. Is the Chinese Dream is a common dream for everyone? Does it make China great again?
A man after a cupping therapy session in Weihai. © Alex Huanfa Cheng
Grandfather and grandson in Pingyao. © Alex Huanfa Cheng
I traveled in different regions in China and tried to capture portraits, postures, and the style of common people of different ages, economic conditions, and cultural and educational backgrounds. I do not apply a predefined concept to the people I meet, but try to show their real character and particularity. Some live at the bottom of society have an unconscious sense of humor. Some young people may be innocent and vigorous, but they involve themselves in political acts with terrible taste. Some may look confident and happy, while others struggle and their homes were demolished to make way for new construction.
China is full of contradictions and duality. This kind of complexity is what makes contemporary China thought-provoking, exuberant, and fascinating. I will continue to explore different areas of China and photograph more people as anthropological researches.
Young girls wearing traditional Chinese style evening wear are about to dance in honour of the local government in Pingyao. © Alex Huanfa Cheng
A girl on a beach in Weihai. © Alex Huanfa Cheng
Sculptures in a park in Shanghai. © Alex Huanfa Cheng
Women posing in a park in Shanghai. © Alex Huanfa Cheng
The Kingdom of the Little People , an amusement park with many diminutive performers, in Kunming. © Alex Huanfa Cheng
An amusement park under construction in Kunming. © Alex Huanfa Cheng
Rainbow Bridge, a village in Kunming, was demolished by a building company to make way for new construction. People who did not agreed to sign the contract were left isolated, and half of their houses were destroyed at midnight without any warning. © Alex Huanfa Cheng
View more of Alex’s work here.
