Interchanging at All Times
By Monica O.Y. TAI
In todayâ??s interconnected world of information, advertisements and technology, many places have been transformed into global ones. Simon Chi-Chung Wan intentionally worked on the renowned cities of Asia. Shooting respectively in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Taipei, Tokyo, Seoul and Singapore, in these metropolises he played with the night time cityscapes of the busiest and the brightest street of each location.
The work reveals the artistâ??s acute observations of social realities in Asia. Wanâ??s construction of his work is methodical. With the use of multiple exposures he overlies images of international brands, advertisements and even traces of city dwellers lives upon each other. The details of these symbolic icons reflect the social phenomena of globalization, consumerism and economic growth.
These resulting images are powerful. We are suspended between fantasy and reality. Our inability to separate ourselves from these two dimensional images comes on and goes. According to the intersecting structures of lines in these photographs, we are able to see the distinctive urban style of each city and so there remains a sense of individual characteristic. In fact, it is only when we find the common features such as brand names, chain stores and celebrities in the advertisements between the locations that we realize what resonates among them. For both better and worst globalization draws upon us all at some point and unifies the people of the world to function together. On the contrary, the impact of the capitalism has also demolished our uniqueness. In City-Glow, we manage to understand Wanâ??s perspective of how our societies are interchanging at all times, as always.
2008
Simon Chi-Chung Wan
Born in 1975 in Hong Kong SAR (China), Simon Chi-Chung Wan graduated with a degree in Documentary Photography from the University of Wales in 2000. Since then, he has held solo exhibitions and group exhibitions in Hong Kong and mainland China. Major works include the Post-Urbanization series (2000-2005), Un Chau Street (2005) and Chinese Worker (2006-2007). City-Glow is his latest work of the City (2007-)series.
Opposing the use of digital technology, Wan explores the possibility of 'Straight Photographyâ??, persistently reflecting such unique signature in his work. Wanâ??s work has been acquired by many local and international private collectors and institutes.
Collection
Hong Kong Heritage Museum
Royal China Group (UK)
Private collection
EDUCATION
1997 â?? 2000
University of Wales College
Newport, South Wales, United Kingdom
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Documentary Photography
Exhibitions
Group Exhibition
2009
Shanghai Art Fair 2009
â??UNBOUNDEDâ??, MOYT Fine Art International
09 â?? 13 Sep
Selected works of â??City-glowâ??
Work and Workshop Gallery, Hong Kong, China
Urban Nightscape: White of Black
10 - 18 January
Selected works of â??City-glowâ??
2008
Hong Kong Central Library Exhibition Gallery & Edge Gallery, Hong Kong, China
Visual Arts Thematic Exhibition 08/09 â??Imaging Hong Kong Contemporary Photography Exhibitionâ??
20 December2008 - 17January2009
Presented by Hong Kong Art Development Council & Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Selected works of â??City-glowâ??
Beyond Art Space, Beijing, China
Waiting in the Wings
2 August â?? 18 September 2008
Selected works of â??City-glowâ??
2007
Devon House, Tai Koo Place, Hong Kong
"Performing a National Style"
5 - 29 June
Sponsored by Swire Properties
Selected works of "Chinese Workers"
2005
Lianzhou, Guangdong, China
â??Lianzhou International Photo Festivalâ??,
"Un Chau Street"
20 â?? 26 November
Solo Exhibition
2006
Devon House, Tai Koo Place, Hong Kong
"Un Chau Street"
3 - 13 October
Sponsored by Swire Properties
2004
Devon House, Tai Koo Place, Hong Kong
"Post-Urbanization"
3 - 13 October
Sponsored by Swire Properties
Completed series of Chapter One "Country Park" and Chapter Two "Urban Stars"
Start-of-the-Art-Gallery, Hong Kong
"Post â?? Urbanization"
Selected works of Chapter One "Country Park" , Chapter Two "Urban Stars" and Chapter Three "Artificial Beauty"
16 â?? 22 April
2000
Art Space Exhibition Center, Hong Kong
"Untitled Portrait "
Sponsored by Hong Kong Arts Development Council
2 â?? 10 October
