Artificial Confrontation Photo

Photographer’s Note

Artificial Confrontations II

Contemporary Terracotta Warriors

Yue Minjun, born in Beijing is one of the most important artists of the Chinese avant-garde. He lives and works in Beijing and is part of the key movement of the post-1989 era in Chinese avant-garde art: Cynical Realism.

Yue Minjun's works are instantly recognizable by the characteristic laughing figure, actually representing the artist himself, depicted in various guises in virtually all his works. The figure has more teeth than one could possibly want, like the expensive smiles of fashion models advertising the latest whitening power of a toothpaste brand. Yue Minjun's trademark smile is many things at once. It is hilarious and infectious yet cynical and mocking. It appears superficial, mindless - even ridiculous - but is deeply revealing and compelling.

Picture from the exhibition “Xiānfēng! - Chinese avant-garde
sculpture” museum Beelden aan Zee, Scheveningen.

Graal, riclopes, papagolf21, belido, jhm, feather, Emile, Charo, UlfE, bertolucci, Cretense, Tue has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

omerozden (1241) 2009-02-09 7:22

hello rob,
this is much better than the previous one.
i like the scene and your composition.
best regards,
omer

Fis2 (45126) 2009-02-09 11:52

Witaj Rob!
Very interesting scene.
Good reportorial photo.
Well done.
Regards
Krzysztof

Graal (57156) 2009-02-10 0:00

Hi Rob,
another interesting reportage from of the exhibition. Amazing scene, unusual figures. Good shot and presentation.
Gr., Aleksander

riclopes (32821) 2009-02-10 1:02

I'm enjoying this series, Rob. And it seems that the visitors are also loving it. They are all over the chinese, poor fellows, live them alone for a while, please! :) I'm glad to see at least one full chinese smile standing out from the crowd. The guys crawling on the ground are too whitish though and a bit disturbing. Good to see that gentleman looking at them.
groet,
ric

papagolf21 (55860) 2009-02-10 1:21

Bonjour, cher ami Rob,
La confrontation entre sculptures et visiteurs est excellente ! il y a des interrogations, de la perplexité de la part de certains spectateurs.
Le doute semble s'emparer également des sculptures placées au premier plan.
Une composition très originale comme à l'accoutumée !
Amitiés.
Philippe

belido (15963) 2009-02-10 2:17

Hi Rob,

as good as the other one. Once more that nice "confrontation". I like to see those white statues breaking the colors of the scene. Well done!
Regards,
Carlos

John_F_Kennedy (30503) 2009-02-10 3:30

Funny. The sharpness and detail in the shot is excellent. Well done.
Best wishes,
Achim

jhm (81589) 2009-02-10 3:50

Hoi Rob,

Wabnneer men die lachende beelden ziet zou men ook de neiging hebben om een lekker door te lachen.
Werkwaardig hoe gefacineerd de mensen staan te kijken.
Qua scherpte en helderheid is deze foto perfect.
U bent een museum kenner, dus vindt u altijd een mooi beeld om te plaatsen. Bedankt.

Groeten uit Vlaanderen,
John.

feather (49848) 2009-02-10 6:32

The mix of sculptures and people is very compelling, like the people are jostling to become part of the art. The composition to include the white sculptures in the foreground works well.
Kath

Emile (19759) 2009-02-10 12:01

Hola Rob.
Another wonderful shot with the interesting sculptures and the people enjoying the exhibition. The white pieces in front are well seen. Very well capture with good POV, colors and sharpness.
TFS.
Best regards.

Flavia (10202) 2009-02-11 7:33

Hi Rob,

Great note on his work! Its exactly that, I like the picture but it would ba nice it we could see a little more of the sculptures in between the art lovers...

Regards,

Flavia

Gerrit (35393) 2009-02-11 11:10

Dag Rob,
Er zit toch altijd iets ongemakkelijks in de houding van kunstkijkers. Dat zie je zelf op de rug.
Leuke insluiting door twee beeldengroepen van deze groep kijkers.
Groeten Gerrit

Charo (31651) 2009-02-12 16:53

Hallo Rob,
Erg benieuwd waar dit beeld is gemengd met de echte ELAS sculpturen. Prachtige compositie en grote details.
Met vriendelijke groet,
Charo

UlfE (8831) 2009-02-14 7:57

Hi Rob,

Really funny shot. A wonderful scene you have captured here. It looks like an exhibition where the visitors are also part of the the artwork. Your title is excellent. TFS and have a nice Saturday evening!

Cheers,

Ulf

batalay (20654) 2009-02-14 22:28

Hello Rob,

Together with Artificial Confrontation I, this one offers an appetizer of a lesson in Chinese Avant-Garde art movement. The works of Ye Minjun, a member of the new generation, has an impressive style. I cannot help but think both I and II are inspired by the pottery army dug up from Ch'in Shih Huang ti's burial tomb. Your review is excellent.

Warm regards,

Bulent

bertolucci (11976) 2009-02-15 10:00

Hoi Rob,
Er is hier een derde laag toegevoegd - de mensen zijn ingesloten. Maar één persoon heeft aandacht voor de witte groep voor. En inderdaad die grijns en lichaamstaal van de rode groep. Sterk !
Fijne week,
Bert

Cretense (54578) 2009-02-18 5:17

Hello Rob!

Excellent, unusual and very interesting daily life scene, excellent capture of artwork at the same time! Great tight framing and composition, flawless light managment! Interesting note, too! Congratulations!

Hercules

toto (18537) 2009-02-22 15:53

Bonsoir,
belle photo de ces oeuvres confrontée a ces gens qui sont parmis elles.
Bel effet, ainsi que celle avant, recherche et réussite de vos photos particulières et intéressantes.

Amitié Thomas

isabela_sor (41867) 2009-03-02 7:44 [Comment]

Show Comment

Tue (25608) 2009-03-11 5:07

Hey Rob,
Wat een drukte bij de beelden van deze lachende roze mannen. Alle toeschouwers zorgen ook voor wat extra kleuren in deze foto. De witte baby's zorgen daarbij voor een mooi contrast in de voorgrond.
Groeten,
Lars