The paper investigates the construction of Chinese youth identities in the photography work of Chinese artist Cao Fei. For this purpose, the author first offers an overview of the current debates on cultural globalization, to go on discussing local and global aspects of Cao Feis work.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Biography of Cao Fei
- Life in a Changing China
- Theories of cultural globalization
- Negotiating Chinese youth identities
- Chinese youth identities and the Storage Box (2001) and Fresh (2002) series
- Escaping alienation into Utopia: The Cosplayers (2004) series
- The local and the global
- Chinese art discourse
- Positioning Cao in a local and global art discourse
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This seminar report aims to investigate how Cao Fei evaluates the lives of Chinese youth through her artistic means and presentation. Specifically, it will explore how she situates herself within a global art discourse and analyze the local and global influences present in her work. The key themes explored in this report are:- The negotiation of Chinese youth identities in a rapidly changing society
- The impact of globalization and consumerism on youth culture in China
- The use of pop culture and playful aesthetics to address social and cultural issues
- The relationship between local and global art discourses in contemporary China
- The role of escapism and fantasy in navigating complex social realities
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction
This chapter introduces Cao Fei’s artistic style, focusing on her use of video, photography, installation, and experimental theatre to explore the social and cultural changes in China. It highlights her focus on the young generation of Chinese citizens, their experiences with alienation, and the clash between traditional values and global influences. The chapter outlines the paper’s objectives and methodology.Biography of Cao Fei
This chapter provides biographical information about Cao Fei, including her childhood experiences, influences, and artistic development. It emphasizes the strong global influences she encountered growing up in a rapidly changing China, influenced by both economic reforms and traditional values. The chapter also showcases some of her earlier works, revealing her interest in unusual and absurd situations.Life in a Changing China
This chapter analyzes the impact of globalization on Chinese society, examining different theoretical perspectives on the interplay between global and local influences. It explores how these theories relate to the experiences of Chinese youth, who navigate a dynamic social landscape shaped by economic reforms, the one-child policy, and rapid social change. This chapter highlights the challenges faced by Chinese youth in constructing their identities within this complex and often conflicting environment.The local and the global
This chapter delves into the complexities of the Chinese art discourse, analyzing its unique development and relationship to Western notions of modernity. It explores the emergence of distinct movements within the Chinese art scene, including political pop and cynical realism, and examines the impact of globalization on the art world. This chapter focuses on the negotiation between local and global influences in the art world and how artists like Cao Fei contribute to this dynamic exchange.Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The primary keywords and focus topics of this text are: Chinese youth identities, cultural globalization, contemporary photography, pop culture, social alienation, escapism, local and global art discourse, and the “Brand-New Human Beings” of China. The paper explores the intersection of these concepts and investigates how they shape the artistic expression of Cao Fei and the lives of young people in contemporary China.
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- Simon Meier (Author), 2009, Chinese youth identities in Cao Fei's contemporary photography, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/151888
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