Pékin Fine Arts is pleased to be hosting another solo art show by Liu Zheng. In his latest Selfie project, it once again pushes photography’s boundaries to new limits, raising questions of online technology’s impact on photography’s future, as well as the role of Selfies as "tools" of personal expression and social interaction.
Selfie is a self-portrait photography initiative launched by artist Liu Zheng using social media in China. The project parameters are simple: Everyone online is invited to take photos of themselves and to send those photos to Liu, who then uploads those self-portraits to social networks such as WeChat and Instagram upon mutual agreement. Liu as artist-editor-curator often chats online with these mainly anonymous volunteer Selfie - makers, offering encouragement and instruction during the process. Of course, if he likes the photos he simply posts them directly online. Images continue to be uploaded daily.
Selfie is a term coined from the Internet and included since 2013 in the Oxford English Dictionary. It refers to self-portrait photographs, typically taken with a camera phone by youngsters and are shared on social networking services. Worldwide, more and more people are interested in showing their Selfies via the Internet. Unlike common Selfies, the initiative by Liu is combined with a dedicated Internet interface and is focused on universal pursuits of human beings, such as the desire for greater freedom and equality as well as sensual desire. Arguably, these are the basic human rights asserted, pursued and safeguarded by all citizens in the developed world and are cornerstones of contemporary culture. Whereas in China, restricted areas and ambiguous rules subject to varied interpretation remain. When Internet and mobile phones come together, people can share information everywhere and at any time as part of their daily routine and everything seems possible.
For Liu, every photo taken and sent represents an opportunity to have an in-depth exchange and on-going dialogue.
Admission: Free
Date: July 23 - September 13 (Every day except Monday)
Add: 241 Caochangdi, Chaoyang District, Beijing
