Red illuminates explores the concept of culture in socialist countries and how loyalty to the state is cultivated. The catalyst for the project was found in a residential area of Beijing where Special Criminal Syndicate Combat propaganda posters displayed, on average, every 40 meters. These are presented alongside large-format portraits of so-called young pioneers emulating Mao Zedong’s portrait in Tiananmen Square. A white orchid blooming under artificial grow lights, a still from a video work, is listening to socialist propaganda from CCTV (China’s official news channel) continuously for 30 days. I ask the question, “could this conditioning eventually turn a white orchid red?”.
A publication of this work was produced as a TLP Edition in 2020. A copy of this limited edition publication can be purchased here.
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Special Criminal Syndicate Combat
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The Young Pioneers (boy)
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Individual image of the Special Criminal Syndicate Combat
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Individual image of the Special Criminal Syndicate Combat
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Individual image of the Special Criminal Syndicate Combat
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Individual image of the Special Criminal Syndicate Combat
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Individual image of the Special Criminal Syndicate Combat
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Individual image of the Special Criminal Syndicate Combat
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IIndividual image of the Special Criminal Syndicate Combat
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Day 30
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The Young Pioneers (girl)
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Untitled
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Untitled Still from video
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Installation View
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