A Photographer’s intimate Look at China: “The Middle Way” Exhibition
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For over three decades, photographer Christopher Taylor has journeyed through China, capturing its essence in a new exhibition, “La Voie du Milieu: Reflets de la Chine (The Middle Way: Reflections of China),” currently on display at the Galerie Camera Obscura in Paris until January 11, 2025.
This compelling collection, accompanied by a book featuring 130 photographs adn accompanying texts, offers a unique perspective on China’s evolving landscape and culture. Taylor’s work transcends simple documentation; its a visual poem, a deeply personal exploration of a nation’s heart and soul.
Using film, medium, and large-format cameras, and meticulously crafting his own prints, Taylor spent fifteen separate trips immersing himself in the country. He explains his approach: “Usually, I try to avoid the anonymity of big cities in China, preferring towns on a human scale from where the countryside is more accessible. In such places, the traditional values that interest me survive more easily in natural forms. The simplicity of my outdated analog camera seems an appropriate tool to identify simple shapes or scenes through which I try to imply a hidden meaning, in accordance with the train of my thoughts.”
His images, imbued with a quiet intensity, reveal the enduring presence of ancient traditions within modern China. The exhibition showcases the everyday lives of builders and peasants, offering a glimpse into a culture rich in history and resilience. The familiar yet strangely captivating scenes—objects, landscapes, and people—are the result of a slow, meditative approach to travel, long walks through bustling cities and serene countrysides, all in search of moments that resonate deeply.
Curator Didier brousse describes Taylor’s work as “visual poetry,” highlighting its subjective yet profoundly revealing nature. The photographs invite viewers to contemplate the constant interplay between the ancient and the modern, the rural and the urban, within the vast tapestry of Chinese life.
Exhibition Details
exhibition: Christopher Taylor: La Voie du Milieu: Reflets de la Chine (The Middle Way: Reflections of China)
Dates: Through January 11,2025
Venue: Galerie Camera Obscura,268 boulevard Raspail,75014 Paris
Phone: +33 1 45 45 67 08
Website: www.galeriecameraobscura.fr
through the Lens: exploring the Soul of China with Master Photographer Christopher Taylor
Senior Editor Irene petrov sits down with renowned photography expert and curator Dr. Gillian Hayes to delve into the captivating world of Christopher Taylor’s new exhibition “The Middle Way: Reflections of China.”
Irene Petrov:
Dr. Hayes, your expertise on contemporary Asian photography is unparalleled. What struck you most about Christopher Taylor’s “The Middle Way” exhibition?
Dr. Gillian Hayes:
Irene, Christopher Taylor’s work is truly remarkable. his decades-long dedication to capturing the essence of China is evident in every photograph. It’s not just documentation; it’s a profoundly personal exploration of a nation’s soul.
Irene Petrov:
Taylor often mentions his preference for smaller towns and rural landscapes. Could you elaborate on why this approach unique and what it reveals about his perspective?
Dr. Gillian Hayes:
Taylor seeks to connect with the enduring traditions that he believes are more palpable in these settings. His focus on everyday scenes, on builders and peasants going about their lives, allows viewers to glimpse a side of China often overlooked in mainstream media.
Irene Petrov:
And what about his focus on using customary film and laborious printing techniques? Does this deliberate choice add another layer to his work’s impact?
Dr. Gillian Hayes:
Absolutely. Those analog processes contribute to the serenity and timeless quality of his images. He slows down the photography process, allowing him to truly immerse himself in the moment and connect with his subjects on a deeper level.
Irene Petrov:
The exhibition is titled “The Middle way,” a concept deeply rooted in Chinese philosophy. How does Taylor’s work embody this idea?
Dr. Gillian Hayes:
I think Taylor’s photographs brilliantly capture the constant interplay between the ancient and the modern that defines Chinese society.His work invites us to contemplate this delicate balance, this “Middle Way,” between tradition and progress, rural and urban.
Irene Petrov:
For those intrigued by Taylor’s work, what woudl you say is the best way to experience the exhibition?
dr. Gillian hayes:
Approach the photographs with an open mind and allow yourself to be drawn into Taylor’s world. Let the images speak to you, and you’ll discover a China that’s both familiar and strikingly new.
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