As we continue on the topic of the history of photography, we turn to our own photography experiences in this issue – our history of being photographed. It takes root in Taiwan’s colonial history, from the collection of anthropological surveys in the 19th century, to the acts of violence at the defence lines as they pushed on during the Japanese colonial era in the early 20th century, as well as the exhibition of the “Taiwanese” imagery and ethnicity at various expositions held during the Japanese colonial rule. These form the beginnings of a systematic effort to visualize Taiwan.
Shen En-Min loved drawing from a young age. This naturally led to a career as a best-selling stock-image illustrator, but along the way he found he had lost his creative passion. He headed to the mountains for solace, and in the process of sketching what he encountered in the wilderness he rediscovered his love of art. Join Shen on this healing journey as he shares his sketches and notes from his mountain expeditions.
The Umbrella Men is a group of anonymous media workers in Hong Kong. Since the Umbrella Movement in 2014, they have actively and voluntarily interviewed and reported on people participated in social movements. They assembled a book every year to testify the changes in Hong Kong's political and social consciousness. Our Last Evolution is a log of the deprivation of freedom of Hong Kong people in 2019.
I, Mother unveils the complexity and difficulty of being a feminine boy in a traditional Taiwanese family. And yet it goes deeper, encouraging readers to ponder on how to be understanding and affectionate toward family members. Seasoned with tears and laughter, I, Mother is definitely a fun read.
Voices of Photography 攝影之聲
Issue 28 : 沖繩專題
The Okinawa Issue
The “A Study of Contemporary Photography in Asia” series is a serial project that focuses on imagery culture and creative practice in various regions of Asia. Through this connection and a view that pans across Asia, we are trying to expand our understanding of the process of practice, visual experience, culture and the identifying coordinates of photography in Asia, and using such knowledge as a continuous reflection of imagery history and epistemology.
Consisted of thirty letters to a departed lover, stranded is a series of diary recording an exploration of gender identity. The debate between body and mind leads them to become a subtle young person, who seeks shards of evidence of self along the path of love.
The most talked-about book in Taiwan, 2020. Novelist Chih Yu Liu broke the sugarcoated illusion of gender equality, indicating women nowadays are still trapped in hell, built unconsciously or intentionally by men or even women. A book that shouts for freedom but brings hope and comfort to people wounded in a man’s world.
