WHO CARES ANYMORE?
The artist Shu Yong asked thousands of his fellow Chinese citizens for their favourite phrase or saying. He then had their words translated into English and copied these onto a wall of acrylic bricks of the same dimensions as the bricks of The Great Wall. I photographed 2 of Shu Yong's bricks: "spy culture" and "social jet lag". The question is mine, the future is yours . .
Favourite phrases? The two you quote? How awful.
ReplyDeleteI read about some Chinese philosopher many years ago who talked about the ability to Fan Shen - difficult to explain what it means but it is along the lines of being totally comfortable and at ease with one's self. I like to think I have fanshenned Gwil. What about you?
I have the idea that the artist is pointing out that most people live in a world where every movement, message and transaction can be monitored 24/365. I can't say I'm comfortable with today's brave new world because it's always in the back of my mind that it could happen one day that a dictator or some despot (think Hitler, Stalin) could take charge and use the information in ways that were never intended by those who created the surveillance system. I do try to stay comfortable with myself though.
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