Red Illuminates, Jialin Long

Red Illuminates, a multimedia work comprising still and moving images, explores the concept of culture in socialist countries and how loyalty to the state is cultivated.

The catalyst for the project was found in a residential area of Beijing where ‘Special Criminal Syndicate Combat’ propaganda posters were displayed, on average, every 40 meters. These are presented alongside large-format portraits of so-called young pioneers emulating Mao Zedong’s portrait in Tiananmen Square. A white orchid blooming under artificial grow lights, a still from a video work, is listening to socialist propaganda from CCTV (China’s official news channel) continuously for 30 days. Long asks the question, “could this conditioning eventually turn a white orchid red?”.

This publication was produced as part of the Inspirational Arts Award 2020, where each finalist received a TLP Edition of their graduate project. Jialin Long represented the Dun Laoghaire Institute Of Art Design and Technology.

jialinlongphotography.com

Published by PhotoIreland, in partnership with Inspirational Arts
Edition of 200
Softcover
36 pages
148 × 210 mm