Mao and stuff, Beijing, China, 2004 by Phil Douglis

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19-JUN-2004

Mao and stuff, Beijing, China, 2004

We had lunch with a Beijing family, whose home featured a porcelain tribute to Mao displayed side by side with Chinese ceramics of a less political nature. I framed my picture so Mao is only partially included, boxed in and shadowed. He’s there, but not as complete or brightly illuminated as the pottery surrounding him. His wave goes unanswered. I intend this image as an incongruous metaphor for how Mao is presently regarded in China. For most, he’s the past, and the future is now.

Leica Digilux 2
1/60s f/2.0 at 7.0mm iso100 with Flash full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto

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Phil Douglis		05-Mar-2006 23:48
He draws a crowd, Mhlau.

Guest		05-Mar-2006 21:41
Ha ha! I'm sure the Chairman would have loved being the 'center of attendtion'! Thanks!

Phil Douglis		05-Mar-2006 18:24
Mhlau, I always meter on the brightest spot in the image. In this case, I meter on Mao.

Guest		05-Mar-2006 11:05
Phil, same question I posted on another photo: where did you meter for this shot?

Phil Douglis		22-Dec-2004 06:23
I love the metaphor of Mao in his coffin, Mikel. This picture is, in a way, a last look at one of the most powerful individuals the world has ever known, yet he is now colorless and relegated to a dark box, surrounded by colorful relics that seem at least free enough to stand free and open upon their shelves. I like your interpretation of Mao's gesture as well --- It's as if he is saying "hey, fellas, I'm still here, remember me?"

Guest		22-Dec-2004 00:18
The impression that this photo gives me is that Mao is in an antique store, a relic of the past as the jars that sorround him, though he is trying to maintain his presence by lifting his arm it is like he is in his burrial sight boxed in his coffin and ready to desapear though he still is trying to resist with his last trength.

Phil Douglis		09-Dec-2004 19:19
Yes, I agree, Antonio. The past is always with us in some way. Even though he may now be reduced to just an ornament, Mao's legacy, for better and for worse, has affected Chinese history more than any other individual.

Antonio Pierre De Almeida		09-Dec-2004 04:55
I feel the same way as clara and I add that even lowered in grade he is still present which is still quite impressive since I'm not sure that the people have the same admiration for him nowadays.

Guest		01-Dec-2004 19:53
mao encapsulated, almost lowered in grade and hierarchy.

Phil Douglis		07-Nov-2004 23:43
You are right still again, my friend Nut. The light is indeed abstracting the image, illuminating the pottery, but throwing Mao back into the shadows. There is an incongruous comparison between them, just as there is subject incongruity by placing a waving Mao walled off from the world within this box.

nut		07-Nov-2004 16:15
This is the incongruous photograph in term of abstract. The light give me an abstract incongruity brightly pottery and Mr. Mao in shadow. "The Past-The Present"

Phil Douglis		02-Nov-2004 17:20
There are many ways to read my Mao in a box picture. I liked your interpretation of it as reference to the past.

nut		02-Nov-2004 08:50
Normally, I put something in the box when I don't use it and/or to keep it. This photo captured some part of build-in shelf and Mao. This is "Mao Shaped Box" to me. In my opinion, Mao is represent the past with priceless same as an old pottery here. The past is the time gone by, and its period represents a difinite portion of time fixed by events occuring in nature or man-made in history, which follow one after another. Of course, everything in the past is priceless. The effect today follows the cause of yesterday but the change of tomorrow is what happens today.

Phil Douglis		22-Oct-2004 20:11
What you are laughing about is the incongruity, Zebra. Glad it works for you. It sure worked for me.

Guest		22-Oct-2004 19:16
It is really amuse me! Mr Mao said,"they are my private collections,enjoy them and have a good time."

Phil Douglis		16-Jul-2004 17:46
What a wonderful point! I was concentrating so hard on the meaning of the frame and the boxes that I never even thought of the meaning conveyed by the variation in color. You are helping me add much depth to this "course" in photographic meaning, Tim.

Tim May		16-Jul-2004 17:10
For a while I was interested in Mao's vision for China. What I find in this image is the way the Mao statue is white and plain expressing the either/or aspect of his world view, while the vases are colorful and offer a shaded view of the world.

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