“This land is your land, this land is my land.”
America is at its core a paradox, an impossible promise. The land is supposedly open to all, a nation of freedom, and yet also a former colony and imperialist superpower that historically closed its borders to “undesirable” populations. Via the doctrine of manifest destiny, the States conquered the native peoples of America and then immediately declared the landscape—with its plains, waterfalls, and mountains—a symbol of American unity and freedom, “from sea to shining sea.” There has been an attempt by the United States, in other words, to politicize the continent’s natural landscape, to take hold of its symbolic value in addition to its physical soil. In a series of photographs titled “The Expeditionary Series,” Tseng Kwong Chi presents powerful images of himself in the American landscape wearing his iconic Mao suit. A strange, poetic, mystifying collection of black-and-white photographs, “The Expeditionary Series” defies simple interpretation but evidently grapples with the complex relationship between nature and politics.
This series is presented at Northwestern University’s Block Museum of Art as part of “Performing for the Camera,” an expansive retrospective exhibition of Tseng Kwong Chi’s work. Born in Hong Kong in 1950, the artist immigrated at age sixteen with his parents to Canada after they were exiled for their Nationalist affiliations in opposition to Mao Zedong. Tseng became deeply involved in the 1980’s New York art scene through his close friendship with celebrated artist Keith Harring, but never reached a comparable level of fame himself. Yet, it is evident upon entering Tseng’s retrospective that he was a visionary in his own right.
Tseng is perhaps most famous for the project that directly preceded and led into “The Expeditionary Series,” which was titled “East Meets West.” The photographer took proto-selfies at various Western tourist attractions and monuments while wearing a costume dubbed the “Mao Suit” (grey buttoned outfit styled after Mao’s with dark sunglasses). For example, there is the exuberant photograph New York, New York (Brooklyn Bridge) from 1979—an image of choice for the Block Museum as far as marketing (it is pasted onto the building’s elevator, for example).
The artist is caught leaping high into the air, one fist raised, backgrounded by the bridge and city skyline. The image is fun, playful, and like all of the photos from Tseng’s “East Meets West” series, semantically elusive. Is it truly a celebration of intersecting cultures? Or an ironic criticism of Western orientalism, daring the viewer to perceive Tseng as a cartoonish foreign tourist? How is any of this connected to Mao’s communist politics? It is not easy to say for sure, as ambiguity and surrealism are intentionally stirred into the images; ”My mirrored glasses give the picture a neutral impact and the surrealistic quality I’m looking for,” explains Tseng in a documentary film exhibited as a part of “Performing for the Camera” (East Meets West, as quoted in the Chicago Reader). In this way, Tseng’s images in “East Meets West” feel striking and mischievous, but are dominated by his mysterious persona.
Yet, while Tseng’s mysterious “Mao” character creates a conceptual puzzle in “East Meets West,” it subtly underscores the independent power of the natural landscape in “The Expeditionary Series” by establishing stark contrasts between himself and the wilderness around him. Take, for example, the photograph Mt. Dawson, Glacier National Park, British Columbia. At first, all that you see in the image is the mountain: glorious, enormous, shrouded in mist. You have to search carefully through the rocky outcrops and pine trees to find Tseng, standing minuscule in the corner of the image. This “Where’s Waldo” hunt for Tseng demonstrates how different the images are from those of the “East Meets West” series; while his character was foregrounded in those photographs, here he is almost nonexistent. This is partly due to a technical deviation from the previous project; after “East Meets West,” the artist hired an assistant to work his camera from afar, so that could to wander away and bury himself in the composition. If anything, his character here serves to portray artificial geopolitics (orientalism, imperialism, Maoism) as insignificant in the face of ancient, natural beauty. Additionally, though his mysterious “Mao” persona is minute compared to the mystery of Mt. Dawson’s foggy peak, it acts as a scale against which the beauty and surrealism inherent in nature can be measured, and thus, revealed.
Each photo in the series is unique, poetic in its own way. Take the striking National Grasslands, South Dakota, for example, in which Tseng’s sunglasses flash white from lighting as another bolt strikes a field in the distance. Or Lake Ninevah, Vermont, a portrait of Tseng floating in a boat above foggy water. Figure turned away and softly backlit, he becomes something of a dreamy silhouette. Even more striking in this regard is the photo titled Puerto Rico, in which Tseng stands truly silhouetted on a distant craggy cliff as the sun sets over water in the distance. If not for the context of the rest of the exhibit, one would not even know that these were images of Tseng, let alone images of Tseng wearing his Mao costume. If the oft tongue-in-cheek artist is infiltrating and mocking the practice of ecotourism, then he is doing it with such subtlety that his stoicism comes across as reverence.
The most politically pointed image in the series is certainly Shrine of Democracy: Mount Rushmore, Black Hills, South Dakota, in which Tseng stands tall but small in the foreground before the iconic mountain (and monument, connecting back to Tseng’s earlier series). Unlike the other photos in “The Expeditionary Series,”, this one contains a relatively striking label: “Shrine of Democracy.” You cannot help but read the phrase ironically, even though it is the unofficial slogan of the monument. Here is an embodiment of the attempted politicization of America’s natural landscape, and Tseng remains subtle in his criticism; the only indication of dissent comes from his posture—he faces the monument with arms crossed behind his back, inviting you to guess his thoughts as he gazes up at the so-called shrine. Though the photo is ambiguous in this way, it is worth noting that the geopolitical tensions recalled by Tseng’s “Mao Suit” can be traced back to imperialist American values enshrined in the carvings of the rock. But more than anything, Mt. Rushmore itself feels kitschy and artificial compared to the pure magnificence of Mt. Dawson on the opposite wall. We can attempt to politicize nature, but Tseng’s careful observations encourage you to climb past that ideology with him and see the natural wonders as wonderful as they naturally are.
You cannot ignore the fact, while examining these images, that Tseng Kwong Chi was approaching the end of his days during their conception in 1986. Tseng was diagnosed with HIV in 1987—a disease that would take his life only a few years later. Susan Sontag, another key member of the New York art crowd (who wrote prolifically on the subject of AIDS) says in her essay In Plato’s Cave, “A beautiful subject can be the object of rueful feelings, because it has aged or decayed or no longer exists. All photographs are memento mori.” Here, in “The Expeditionary Series,” there is one mortal subject, the artist himself, but there are also the virtually immortal wonders of the natural world. Perhaps Tseng was considering his own mortality when he minimized himself before those mountains and seas that would assuredly outlive him, outlive us all, and our politics. Perhaps he saw something ineffable through those dark sunglasses, through the mist.
321 Comments
Your article is an article with all the content and topics I’ve ever wanted.
تولید محتوا اینستاگرام
https://trokazh.com/instagram-content-production/
Thank you for sharing such valuable insights!
2,4-Ivy Carbaldehyde
شکستگی مچ پا
https://drtohidsafaei.com/%d8%b4%da%a9%d8%b3%d8%aa%da%af%db%8c-%d9%85%da%86-%d9%be%d8%a7/
استیکر لپ تاپ
https://tmjeen.ir/product-category/laptop-sticker/
نهال استوایی
https://www.foroozani.com/product-tag/%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B4-%D9%86%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C/
نهال استوایی
لوازم خانگی هوشمند شیائومی
https://xiaomixiaomi.ir/category/%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87
ویزا ایتالیا توریستی
https://www.robin-travel.com/%d9%88%db%8c%d8%b2%d8%a7-%d8%a7%db%8c%d8%aa%d8%a7%d9%84%db%8c%d8%a7/
ویزا ایتالیا توریستی
https://www.robin-travel.com/%d9%88%db%8c%d8%b2%d8%a7-%d8%a7%db%8c%d8%aa%d8%a7%d9%84%db%8c%d8%a7/
خرید عمده کابل شبکه.
https://shakouricable.com/wholesale-network-cable-sales/
جراح تومور استخوان در تهران
https://draghabozorgi.com/%d8%ac%d8%b1%d8%a7%d8%ad-%d8%aa%d9%88%d9%85%d9%88%d8%b1-%d8%a7%d8%b3%d8%aa%d8%ae%d9%88%d8%a7%d9%86-%d8%af%d8%b1-%d8%aa%d9%87%d8%b1%d8%a7%d9%86/
جراحی مینیسک زانو
https://draghaalikhani.com/%D8%AC%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AD%DB%8C-%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%B3%DA%A9/
اسپری نیتروکسی پن
https://www.azin-co.com/product/%da%a9%d8%b1%db%8c%d9%88-%d9%85%d8%af%d9%84-c-609/
کیف دوشی
https://davidjonesonline.ir/category/Shoulder-bags
خدمات اینستاگرام
https://supportwebs.ir/blog/%d8%ae%d8%af%d9%85%d8%a7%d8%aa-%d8%a7%db%8c%d9%86%d8%b3%d8%aa%d8%a7%da%af%d8%b1%d8%a7%d9%85/
شیشه دارویی
https://ezorof.com/product-category/%D8%AF%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B9-%D8%B8%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%81/%D8%B4%DB%8C%D8%B4%D9%87-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D9%85/
سازندگان تابلو برق صنعتی
https://arianparto.com/
ساندویچ پانل سردخانه ای
https://www.kabirpanel.com/refrigerator-sandwich-panel-prices/
بست گلابی
https://connectfixing.com/product-category/%d8%a8%d8%b3%d8%aa-%d9%87%d8%a7/%d8%a8%d8%b3%d8%aa-%da%af%d9%84%d8%a7%d8%a8%db%8c/
ال ای دی Dob
https://www.hamgamshop.ir/product-category/led/%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%AF%DB%8C-dob/
سوزن چرخ سرکیسه دوز
https://nakhsarkiseh.com/product-category/%d9%84%d9%88%d8%a7%d8%b2%d9%85-%d8%ac%d8%a7%d9%86%d8%a8%db%8c/%d8%b3%d9%88%d8%b2%d9%86/
سنسور تک چشم کابینتی
https://ledonline.ir/product/%D8%B3%D9%86%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%A8%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA-%D9%88-%DA%A9%D9%85%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%AF%D9%84-%D8%AA%DA%A9-%DA%86%D8%B4%D9%85/
ارتوپد
https://drbotoukesh.ir/%d9%85%d8%aa%d8%ae%d8%b5%d8%b5-%d8%a7%d8%b1%d8%aa%d9%88%d9%be%d8%af%db%8c-%d8%af%d8%b1-%d8%aa%d9%87%d8%b1%d8%a7%d9%86/
قیمت لوله و اتصالات فلزی
https://mahansanatco.com/fa/%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B4-%D9%84%D9%88%D9%84%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%82%DB%8C%D9%85%D8%AA-%D9%84%D9%88%D9%84%D9%87-%D9%88-%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%81%D9%84%D8%B2%DB%8C
واخواهی چیست
https://www.parsalawyers.com/%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%87%DB%8C-%DA%86%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%AA/
سنگ مزار
https://sangrazavi.com/%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%81%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B9-%D8%B3%D9%86%DA%AF-%D9%82%D8%A8%D8%B1/
Miami900
MIAMI900 (https://heylink.me/Miami900/)
คาสิโน ออนไลน์ เป็นเว็บไซต์อันดับ 1 ของประเทศไทย สำหรับคนที่ชอบเล่นคาสิโน ออนไลน์และสล็อต ออนไลน์ เป็นเว็บพนันที่ดีที่สุดอย่าง MIAMI900 รวมของเกมคาสิโนและสล็อต ออนไลน์ต่างๆ ยอดฮิตมากมาย เช่น บาคาร่า เสือมังกร รูเล็ต แบล็คแจ็ค สล็อต และเกมอื่นๆ อีกมากมาย ให้ท่านสามารถเลือกเล่นได้ตามที่ต้องการ อย่างสนุกสนาน คาสิโน ออนไลน์ที่ดีที่สุด และ ครบวงจร มากที่สุด เต็มไปด้วยเกมคาสิโนและสล็อต ออนไลน์ มีระบบธุรกรรมการเงินที่มั่นคง ด้วยระบบฝาก – ถอนอัตโนมัติ
Why Choose The Prometheas Technologies As Your ServiceNow App Development Company?
ServiceNow, a global leader in software development, revolutionizes business operations with its integrated and interconnected applications. This cloud-native solution offers a comprehensive package that enables organizations to enhance various aspects of their workflows and operations. In the modern business landscape, automation is recognized as a powerful tool for boosting productivity, reducing costs, and improving efficiencies. At our company, we specialize in ServiceNow mobile app development services, leveraging the platform to optimize your business processes and expedite digital transformation. By hiring our team of ServiceNow certified developers, you can ensure a rapid, seamless, and efficient transition to a digitally empowered organization.
Visit- https://prometheastech.com , mail- hello@prometheastech.com
Why Choose The Prometheas Technologies As Your ServiceNow App Development Company?
ServiceNow, a global leader in software development, revolutionizes business operations with its integrated and interconnected applications. This cloud-native solution offers a comprehensive package that enables organizations to enhance various aspects of their workflows and operations. In the modern business landscape, automation is recognized as a powerful tool for boosting productivity, reducing costs, and improving efficiencies. At our company, we specialize in ServiceNow mobile app development services, leveraging the platform to optimize your business processes and expedite digital transformation. By hiring our team of ServiceNow certified developers, you can ensure a rapid, seamless, and efficient transition to a digitally empowered organization.
Visit- https://prometheastech.com , mail- hello@prometheastech.com
Why Choose The Prometheas Technologies As Your ServiceNow App Development Company?
ServiceNow, a global leader in software development, revolutionizes business operations with its integrated and interconnected applications. This cloud-native solution offers a comprehensive package that enables organizations to enhance various aspects of their workflows and operations. In the modern business landscape, automation is recognized as a powerful tool for boosting productivity, reducing costs, and improving efficiencies. At our company, we specialize in ServiceNow mobile app development services, leveraging the platform to optimize your business processes and expedite digital transformation. By hiring our team of ServiceNow certified developers, you can ensure a rapid, seamless, and efficient transition to a digitally empowered organization.
Visit- https://prometheastech.com , mail- hello@prometheastech.com
Sheetz is a popular convenience store known for its breakfast foods. Their breakfast menu offers a variety of options to cater to different tastes and preferences.
Sheetz Breakfast Menu With Prices
Party City created the Party City Feedback Survey, which can be accessed at partycityfeedback, as an online tool to learn more about what its customers think of the company’s goods and services. Visit Partycityfeedback
Pretty! This was an incredibly wonderful post. Thank you for supplying this info. social media service
Useful information was shared. I am very happy to read this article I am very enjoyed for this blog. It is an informative topicignou mcom project
This essay was both informative and interesting, exactly what I was looking for. Thank you for taking the time to share your unique insight with us. Sure, I’ll forward this to the gang. Please visit the page run 3 to have moments of fun and entertainment.
I really like your blog, the information you’ve provided on the website I like the helpfulignou mcom project info you provide in your articles.Try visiting this link tooignou mba project
Hire ServiceNow Developers!
Prometheas Technologies ServiceNow Implementation Service involves consulting, planning, deployment, customization, preparation, testing, training employees on how to use the platform, and ongoing support and maintenance to ensure that the platform operates effectively. We help clients assess their current systems and processes and provide recommendations for optimizing and improving them using ServiceNow products and solutions. As a ServiceNow implementation Solution Provider, we help organizations streamline and automate their workflows, improve efficiency and productivity, and better manage their digital operations.
Visit- https://prometheastech.com , mail- hello@prometheastech.com
Excellent article. Very interesting to read. I really love to read such a nice article. Thanks! keep rocking. 프라그마틱파싱알
เว็บนี้ดีมากๆเลยถือว่าน่าสนใจดี ฉันได้บังเอิญเข้ามาที่นี่มันช่างดีมากจริงๆ โจ๊กเกอร์ ทางเข้า
Thank you for contributing to the body of knowledge in [field or industry]. hoa hồng affiliate
تعتبر تنظيف الخزانات بالمدينة المنورة مهمة لأنها تعتبر جودة مياه للمقيمين. مع المناخ الحار والجاف في المدينة المنورة، من الضروري أن يكون هناك عمليات تنظيف جيدة لمنع نمو البكتيريا والطحالب الضارة. تستخدم استخدامات تنظيف الخزانات الاحترافية بالمدينة المنورة معدات وحلول تنظيف فعالة لتنظيف الخزانات بمختلف أحجامها تمامًا. لا يؤدي الأفضل للخزانات إلى تحسين جودة المياه، بل يعمل أيضًا على إطالة عمر الخزانات ويمنع التآكل والتسربات. من خلال الاستثمار في الخزانات والخدمات الاحترافية في المدينة المنورة، يمكن للمقيمين ضمان ضمانات المياه الآمنة الناتجة عن تنظيف احتياجاتهم اليومية.https://tnzifmdina.com/
It is an informative topic. Hope you post more. I found your descriptions to be great and your thoughts Try visiting this link tooignou guess paper
Have you ever thought about including a little bit more than just your articles?
I mean, what you say is valuable and all. However think about if you added some great visuals or videos to give your posts more!
Your content is excellent but with images and clips, this blog could undeniably be one of the greatest in its niche. Wonderful blog!
Emporiumperu.com
Thank you a lot for sharing this with all folks you actually understand what you’re speaking about! Bookmarked. Please also visit my web site =).
We can have a link trade contract among us.
Kingsleycharter.org
It’s not my first time to go to see this website, i am visiting this web page dailly and take good facts from here everyday.
ติดต่อสอบหวยบี
Furthermore, Local Marketing Geek understand the significance of harnessing the power of word-of-mouth marketing and cultivating positive relationships within the community. They facilitate engagement through social media platforms, online forums, and local directories, fostering a dialogue that fosters trust and loyalty among customers.
love your article This is amazing information and explanations you provide. Very informative, thanks for sharing.
123 คาสิโน
Thank you for challenging me to think critically and explore new ideas. no hu
Hey there! This is my first visit to your blog! ลาว ส ตา ร์ vip
It’s a game. Five dollars is free. Try it It’s not an easy game ->-> 토토사이트.com