PARIS PHOTO 2024

Each Modern is pleased to present Lang Jingshan and Wu MeiChi’s duo booth Revolutionary Visions at Paris Photo 2024. This is a cross-generational dialogue that spans more than 70 years, with collage photography connecting artists at both ends of the era - Chinese photography pioneer Lang Jingshan crafted a darkroom collage blending 19th and 20th-century photography aesthetics, while the Taiwanese artist Wu MeiChi utilizes 21st-century digital techniques to create collages reflecting contemporary perspectives. This exhibition presents the gallery’s extensive exploration and revival of the local vintage photo market, as well as the intense collaborations with younger generation photographers in the digital age.

Lang Jingshan (b. 1892 in Huaian, Qing Dynasty, died in 1995 in Taipei, Taiwan) is one of China’s most iconic photographers inventing a new format of collage and montage. He experienced the modernization of Asia in the 20th century, and in the 1930s, he was deeply influenced by Western experimental photography, bringing the concept of photography back to Asia. Through the printing of negatives such as inscriptions, collage, scraping, and painting, Lang responds to the perspective and charm of Chinese painting, which is elegant, romantic, and lively. It is worth noting that his straightforward Chinese aesthetic carries a resonance with the Western vision, blending elements that appeal to both cultural perspectives. This is Lang’s greatest achievement, staying true to his Chinese roots in the ever-changing turbulent modern China while maintaining a liberal and tolerant broad-mindedness. Lang continues to attract international academic and market attention, and Sotheby’s also held a special auction for Lang in 2017. The rare vintages of Lang featured in this presentation are from important Taiwanese private collections.

Wu MeiChi, (b. 1989, Tainan, Taiwan), is a prominent figure in digital image creation. Her unique artistic approach involves assembling fragmented images into abstract compositions, imbuing them with intense emotions and complexity. Drawing from personal experiences with fruits, objects, and injuries, Wu creates vibrant party scenes that convey a deeper message beyond mere celebration of life’s diversity. Her work delves into contemporary psychological issues, offering a thought-provoking perspective. Wu’s talent has been recognized through exhibitions at Fotofever and being selected as one of the eight finalists for 2023 Jimei x Arles International Photo Festival Discovery Award.

Consider Hannah Höch, John Heartfield, and Robert Rauschenberg and how they used collage photography as a rebellion against the times, then collage photography of Lang and Wu is another portrayal of the Chinese world. Their creations are nearly a century apart, symbolizing different aesthetics and meanings, but both taking place in an era of aesthetic and political upheaval - Lang emphasizes the close relationship between his art and Chinese culture, while Wu stands at the forefront of the human-machine era, using images to convey the most primitive human emotions - joy, sadness, life, and death.

Sponsored by Ministry of Culture