In the 1990s, unlike the generation of photographers who sought out salon aesthetics and critical social perspectives in their pursuit of the new photographic vernacular from the post Cultural Revolution era, those in the 'new photography' trend tend to focus inwardly on themselves. Whether done consciously or subconsciously, they began with the relfreflective characteristic of photography and adopt the macroscopic perspective as a vehicle of image creation. Among the images created through the 'mirror', they have presented the confusion, anxiety and depression of a generation. Thereafter, more photographers began to explore the possibilities beyond the political and social criticism. The 'Three Shadows Photography Award' launched in 2008, has reviewed the possibility of extending such explorations while discovering and supporting new photographers. The younger generation's exploration is often more diversified, revealing more depth and keener perceptions and expressions. This exhibition is to demonstrate such explorations in Chinese photography since the 1990s through the Three Shadows' collection.
This exhibition is a part of the first Beijing Photo Bennial.