Way of Perceiving Life by Xiaogang Zhang

ANALYSIS OF 16:9 BY XIAOGANG ZHANG
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Zhang Xiaogang’s work in the 16:9 exhibition illustrates how people perceive change and the horrors change impose on people. Often times, change presents difficult situations because people are introduced to situations, practices and ideas that they are not comfortable with. In such situations, the transition period can be confusing, exhausting and even desolating. The changes and associated uncertainty can make people believe that the past looks better than the future. However, just like adapting to the 16:9 ratio in visual display technology, instead of thinking negatively of the future, the human fraternity can only hope for brighter days ahead. Therefore, people in China and the world in general must adapt to the future just like embracing the standardized 16:9 perspective. Xiaogang’s three images used to illustrate the 16:9 perceptive are the Heaven, Train Window-Blackout and the Train Window-Green Pine. The three artworks by Zhang Xiaogang give an illustrative narrative of the people of China, and the pain they have had to endure as they experienced the transition in their country. Qian talks of the desire of the people of China to improve the lives of the local people and end the agony of transition. Zhang Xiaogang compares the transition and the eventual adjustment to the new way of life to the changes in the visual display standards where people have now settled with the 16:9 ratio. Changes are happening fast, and the current reality may not exist in near future. On the other hand, there is absolutely nothing that can assure of what the future holds. Nevertheless, the hope to see a better day is what keeps people ready for the next day and appreciate its value as it presents itself. The attribute of positivity, and a shrine of hope glimmers is important for survival of humanity. It is the same spirit that helps people get over difficult economic and political times, knowing that the future might just present the change they want, and they will get to enjoy life.





The 16:9 Way of Perceiving Life by Xiaogang Zhang
The ratio 16:9 has become popular and standardized as the modern way of perceiving things. Zhang Xiaogang attempts to reflect on changes in life using the same perspective of 16:9 ratio. The view of life based on this view is not clear, and looks surreal. Many details in the images the artist uses are unclear, and this is frustrating. Nevertheless, the artist’s way of viewing life evokes a sense of hope and a bright future. While change is inevitable, and comes with extreme pain, change for the better usually takes time. The Chinese felt the pain during economic transition, and many people had to endure the hard times. However, the gradual change towards a bright future often evokes a new sense of hope.
The image in figure 1, Heaven, is an illustration of a humble serene past that people have enjoyed. The image illustrates a common reminiscent among many people where they wish to recall the old times in their lives. The memories of old days make people wish for such days instead of looking for the future ahead. The simple makeshift bed is what people resolve to, when they are tired, or do not care of the...