“Journey to China” Exhibition Opened at SUSU

On September 5th, a “Journey to China” exhibition of works by photo artists well-known in the modern People's Republic of China opened at South Ural State University. More than 70 photo works printed on silk paper are exhibited in the Art Gallery on the 1st floor and in the hall of the 3rd floor of the main university building.

"For thirty years now I have been working with China. I can see how it is changing, so I can confirm that this exhibition correctly portrays both the past and the present times of this country," shared Chairman of the Association of Photographers EURASIA Rashid Usmanov. "Recently, I have attended a congress of the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP) in the People's Republic of China, and the Federation Head Liu Ming spoke much about the high relations between our two countries, but that we also need to strengthen them in practice, both on their part and on our part. This exhibition is a good example of exactly such a strengthening process."

Meticulous work on preparing information about the artists, about the exhibited works and places depicted in them (cities and regions) had been performed by the staff member of the SUSU Cultural Theory and History Research and Education Centre and representative of the People's Republic of China Wang Yundong. You can learn detailed information about each of the works of photo art by using an electronic info booth installed at the Art Gallery on the 1st floor of the main university building.

"This exhibition shows the spirit of our culture," explained Wang Yundong, staff member of the Cultural Theory and History Research and Education Centre. "Have a look: various cities from Beijing to Hong Kong are represented here. You can see the masterpieces of architecture dating back to dynasties of different empires: the Forbidden City, or the Great Wall of China. Here are also the scenes of life of ordinary people living in the times of the People's Republic. There are more than fifty nationalities in China, and you can enjoy the colours of their festivities and share the feeling of happiness."

This exhibition had been created jointly with the State Museum of the South Ural History, first it had been shown there and later moved to Salekhard located beyond the polar circle.

"Photography is great because it has no language barriers," noted Head of the Photo Heritage Department of the State Museum of the South Ural History Sergey Koliaskin. "No other means would facilitate such interpenetration of space and time, and nothing else would depict the culture of China so well or allow oneself to immerse into its everyday life. In our Museum, we are also opening a new exhibition about China."

Part of the photos were taken in a Chinese Pictorialism style: when it is practically impossible to tell apart a photo from a traditional Chinese painting.

"China is a very densely populated country," commented the Head of the SUSU Art Gallery Anatoly Razuev. "Probably, the first thing about these photos that strikes me is the multitude of people, objects, and the alternation of vertical frameworks: it simple mesmerizes me."

Students and university staff members from different institutes, from all floors of the main building and other university buildings gathered to attend the exhibition opening. The welcoming speech was offered by the organizer and leading research fellow of the Cultural Theory and History Research and Education Centre Nikolai Parfentiev, followed by the speeches by representatives of the university administration and culture community.

"September 3rd is the Day of Victory over Militaristic Japan. And this is also the date of completion of World War II. So, this fact unites us," said Director of the Institute of Media, Social Sciences and Humanities Lidiya Lobodenko. "Our institute and our university are a good example of friendship and collaboration between the peoples of Russia and China. We have many students and postgraduates from the People's Republic of China. This very exhibition is a result of co-creation work by a student and his teacher: Wang Yundong (who graduated from the SUSU Master's degree and postgraduate programmes) and his research advisor, Head of the Department of Theology, Culture, and Arts Nataliia Parfentieva."

The “Journey to China” exhibition will be open till October 15th.