Analysis On Chinese Conceptual Photography

This article is intended to conduct a comprehensive analysis of Chinese conceptual photography, to systemize the development context of Chinese conceptual photography since 1990s, by conducting research on the subject matter and creative forms, this article further pointed out the problems arising from the process in which conceptual photography integrates into Chinese local culture. Nowadays, the research on the theory of Chinese conceptual photography has not formed as a complete system, the research drawbacks exist in the following aspects:a. the definitions of conceptual photography are varies from different scholars, although they share some common views and opinions, they can not reach a clear and unified definition. b. the different modes and manner of creation related to conceptual photography still need to be summarized and concluded in detail. c. a clear evaluation criteria has not been created for conceptual photography considering the lack of mature theoretical system and relative photographic criticism and comment. d. although the current research mentioned the difficulties and crises the conceptual photography faces with, it still lacks specific solutions.Based on the analysis and research conducted, the problems mentioned above in conceptual photography will be divided into four sections.The section 1 summarized the current situation of Chinese conceptual photography by comparatively analyzing different kinds of materials and interviews. It pointed out we are living in a digital age where digital technology has been widely used and almost all the people has participated in photo-making and photography, thus conceptual photography has already became one of the most active art phenomenon in the modern art. Chinese artists can not simply be satisfied by copying the forms of western art anymore. As for China, where photography was imported by western cultures, how to achieve the true prosperity of photography as well as keep its independence in photographic art is the main problem need to be discussed and solved.Section 2 conducted research on the subject matters of Chinese conceptual photography, the three categories of subject matters are as follows:a. the materials are based on the Chinese traditional culture and the difference between Chinese and western art; b. the materials are based on the exploration of details in the daily life, by piercing the veil of the appearance and reaching the substance, also, it based on collective consciousness; c. the materials are based on the self-cognition, the reflects of their own living condition, and the exploration of the social problems. The conceptual photography is a kind of art which is developing from time to time, by systemizing its subject matters, we can achieve a better understanding of the current situation of Chinese conceptual photography step by step. The comparisons between different subject matters can also help us understand its development path, collect materials efficiently, and conduct creative research through new breakpoints.Section 3 summarized different creative forms of conception photography, and classified them into three categories including manners of working, manners of thinking and manners of production. By revealing the diversity of creative manners and expression, it analyzed the characteristics of conceptual photography and seized up the core features, thereby the defects in the development of conceptual photography can be identified.Section 4 pointed out the problems and challenges faced by the conceptual photography in its development process. The problems include the overly dependence on the western art forms, the lack of insights of the productions, the lost of photographic language, artists’ profit-seeking intends, and the institutional deficiencies. Then it further discussed the solutions for such existing problems, and looked into the future of conceptual photography. The last part is the conclusion.