Reputed to be the largest interna-tional photography exhibition in the Chinese-speaking world, the China Pingyao International Photography Festival held its first exchange exhibition in Taiwan at the end of last year. Not only did it bring in over 100 photographic treasures from both Taiwan and mainland China, but it also gave the viewing public in Taiwan an opportunity to take in several international photographic masterpieces. Most remarkable was the characteristically Mexican style of Magical Realism adopted by Pedro Meyer, the internationally famous contemporary photographer and creator of the website ZoneZero.com. Also of that ilk were the works of Australian photographer Max Pam, whose frequent distant wanderings and inward explorations served to create a sense of alienation.
Generally speaking, photographers from the mainland tended towards coarse, unadorned documentary-style photography, while Taiwanese photographers offered more refined, humanistic portrayals. The works of international photographers were often highly conceptual, and demonstrated a bolder exercise of freedom in the handling of the camera and in image manipulation.
For example, US photographer Gary Hallman, inspired by the bright and colorful designs of Persian rugs, produced a richly inspiring and distinctly beautiful "landscape iconography." German photographer Thomas Kellner opted for a cold, terse technique, reminiscent of latticework, through which he unrelentingly twisted, sawed, and broke open the world's most iconic buildings, provoking strong feelings of aftershock in viewers, who were prompted to mull over the endless possibilities of the connectedness of "reality," "image," and "perceiver."
Thomas Kellner, Hearst Tower, New York
Gary Hallman, "Tapestry" series
Gary Hallman, "Tapestry" series
Rafal Milach, "Young Russia" series
Gary Hallman, "Tapestry" series
Gary Hallman, "Tapestry" series
Gary Hallman, "Tapestry" series
Pedro Meyer, "A Heresia" series
Gary Hallman, "Tapestry" series
Gary Hallman, "Tapestry" series
Basilica de Guadelupe, Mexico City