At the beginning of 2020, my life trajectory came to a standstill. Driven by instincts, I began to examine the past of my life and to rethink the meaning of life itself. Meanwhile, I spent more time returning to nature, communicating with the land and sky, and talking with my deeper self. In the process of rebuilding "me", my heart became lightened, and my mind more fluid. While travelling through various counties and villages in China, I got to probe into those rich and diverse inner worlds of strangers. Through photography, I made serendipitous connections with them, enjoying subtle and precious resonances in the universe.
Text/Cai Shanhai
Cai Shanhai has embarked on an extensive journey across China's vast landscape, capturing the authentic scenes of this land. Travelling through county towns, his quest resembles a modern version of a "difficult journey," searching for untold stories as he roams across the land. He calls his distinct approach to walking and photography "flat pushing," which records the visual narratives of those on the periphery, capturing their sense of loss and struggle in contemporary society. These narratives are not only intense but have also attracted widespread attention and sparked discussions on social media platforms like Xiaohongshu.
Cai Shanhai's photography differs from traditional documentary photography as it filters out the mundane details, preserving the fundamental essence of life and nature. Rather than attempting to alter or judge the lives of his subjects, he adopts a "carefree wandering" philosophy, reminiscent of Zhuangzi's teachings that "the ultimate person has no self, the divine person has no achievements, and the sage has no name." According to Cai Shanhai, a person of pure excellence can transcend the limitations of self and material possessions, detaching from concerns of gain and loss, to achieve a state of true carefree wandering. However, is such a reality attainable? Perhaps the very existence and life force of the subjects he has captured in his photographs provides a genuine reflection of reality.
Text/Xiao Ruiyun