Li Lang has captured both the Yi people who stand between the cameras and backdrops and the backdrops themselves. Through these images, he has explored the humanity and desires that have been invoked in the process of a modern ritual – photographing. From these photographs, we discover how photography has served as a trigger for the awakening of the long-suppressed self. The dressing of the youth may be evidence of this awakening. Through photographing, the Yi have also been prodded to think about self-expression and the relevance of dignity when they are in thinking about urban life. Needless to say, the inspiration and self-recognition derived from the contact with photography would leave a subtle impact on their current lives, and extend toward other areas of their living. This is perhaps the strong yet intangible mark that photography has left in people’s minds and modern life.
Read MoreLi Lang has not only let us see the relationship between people and photography, but also, made us ponder the relationship between modernity and photography. The Yi’s different expressions, body language and clothes that they choose to display in front of the cameras and backdrops, profoundly reflect what the city embodies for people, especially for those who live in remote areas. Li Lang’s approach involves both the city envision and the photography of photographing. And it also involves the watch of watching. Remember, there is another camera that was held next to Li Lang’s.
