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?”.
The Special Criminal Syndicate Combat
Day 1
The Young Pioneers
Individual image from the Special Criminal Syndicate Combat poster
Individual image from the Special Criminal Syndicate Combat poster
Individual image from the Special Criminal Syndicate Combat poster
Individual image from the Special Criminal Syndicate Combat poster
Individual image from the Special Criminal Syndicate Combat poster
Individual image from the Special Criminal Syndicate Combat poster
Individual image from the Special Criminal Syndicate Combat poster
Day 30
The Young Pioneers
Untitled still photographs
Digital simulation of photo installation
Digital simulation of photo installation
Red illuminates featured in:
The Pupil Sphere online exhibition (UK)
Photoworks Photography + online magazine, #8 The Graduate Issue (UK)
JRNL6 Fall 2020 Issue (Canada)
Published as TLP Edition by PhotoIreland
Published on Dodho Magazine (Spain)