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FORMAT21 PRESENTS
Zou Jingyao
Famous Internet Sites Curated by Luo Dawei 19 May - 5 September The term ‘online sensation’ has become a universal saying that has been used in almost every aspect of our lives in recent times. Originally, it referred to and meant “gaining sudden popularity” on the internet. Now it refers to hot and novel trends and places including but not restricted to cities, tourist attractions and food. As people’s interest grows in taking a snapshot (usually on their phones) at sites made famous by the internet the phenomenon of internet famous exhibitions has in turn become an important means for people and organisations to attract public attention and gain media coverage. Famous Internet Sites by artist Zou Jingyao, curated by Luo Dawei, focuses on places suddenly made famous by the internet, featuring what could also be described as ‘flash mob exhibitions’. This term, coined overseas (that is, outside of China) is a type of immersive exhibition held for recreational aims. By using Macron-colored installations, mirrors, and balloons combined with VR, projections and other new media tools, it creates a fantasy world consisting of sound, light and electricity. This kind of exhibition is mostly held in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen and occasionally makes its way into other big cities. Most often, it is held in large comprehensive shopping malls located in key business zones, on squares where there is a large visitor flow or streets with busy businesses. Visitors – who come to these exhibitions in a seemingly endless stream – are usually driven by one purpose: take a snap on their phones and share it on social media. In 2018 Zou Jingyao began to show an interest in the phenomenon of people “visiting famous internet sites”. Since then, he has collected information on internet-famous exhibitions through various channels and recorded more than 30 exhibitions in Beijing, Shanghai and other major cities in the form of pictures, video or sound. In addition to this he also viewed many other exhibitions on social media platforms.
Zou Jingyao (b. 1993), graduated from the School of Theater, Film and Television of Communication, University of China as both an undergraduate and postgraduate. He is currently a member of Images Copyright Society of China ICSC. Photographic works were published on Tencent Guyu Image, China Photo Press, People, China Daily and Sina Photo. Major honours and exhibitions include: Shortlisted for the 7th Hou Dengke Documentary Photography Award; Winner of 1st Lishui/FORMAT Award 2019; Qualified SONY Young Photographer Development Program 2019, Award Nomination of the 1st 1839 Photography Award; Qualified for the 27th National Photographic Art Exhibition 2019. Luo Dawei is an Independent curator and Photography teacher. He is the Founder and CEO of FengmianLive.com and Founder of Siyuefeng.com. Luo previously received the Outstanding Curator Award at the Lishui Photography Festival. His recent curatorial projects include: No Place to Place: Wu Guoyong, 2018; 666, Pingyao International Photography Festival, 2017, and The Breath of China, Siyuefeng.com, 2014.
EXHIBITION PLAN
Beijing 20, 2019
Visit the Web Celebrated Sites, video, 2019
stival
fe are via #FORMAT
Take a Selfie! Sh n Angel Wings -
Wuhan 12, 2018
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www.formatfestival.com FORMAT is organised by QUAD in partnership with the Digital and Material Artistic Research Centre of the University of Derby. Throughout 2021 FORMAT is presenting a number of exhibitions and events for full listings visit our website.
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