PRESS RELEASE
The above opening took place at FotoZA, at the Rosebank Mall, this past Sunday afternoon. It is the 8th photographic collaboration between photographers from China and South Africa.
The Chinese exhibition features black and white images by three important photographers, one each from their three biggest cities – Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Their work, mostly about the early 80’s, reflects a bygone era, of a society on the cusp of social modernisation. By contrast, the South African exhibition is that of a colourful, vibrant Johannesburg of today; as advertised in its 130th year as a ‘world class African city’.
Johan Greybe from KAMERAZ welcomed guests and dignitaries to FotoZA (the latter is a proposed gallery initiative from the retailer).
This exhibition was co-curated by CPA (China Photographers Association) and PSSA (Photographic Society of South Africa).
A five-member delegation of CPA, under the lead of Ms Peng Wenling, Deputy Secretary General of China Photographers Association, attended the opening ceremony. She had the following to say in her address: “South Africa is the largest economy in Africa, as well as a member of “BRICS”. Ever since China and South Africa established diplomatic relations in 1998, bilateral ties have seen an all-round rapid development. Since then, the two countries have established a profound and long-lasting friendship. South Africa’s unique and abundant cultural and natural resources attract many Chinese photographers to approach her, understanding her and loving her.
It is a coincidence that this year marks the 130th anniversary of the establishment of Johannesburg, which is the largest city in the country, also known as the City of Gold. To celebrate this historical moment, we accepted the invitation from the PSSA and picked 40 photos of Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou taken by Chinese photographers. Viewers can learn about the development and changes in Chinese cities through their work. The photographers showcase China striding towards modernization by recording the lives of ordinary citizens”.
The importance and continuance of the established collaboration between Chinese and South Africa photographers was emphasised by Mr. Zheng Wen in his capacity as Cultural Counsellor, Embassy of China in South Africa, while Mr. Francois Rousseau, in his welcome as President of the Photographic Society of South Africa, made mention of visiting a photographic congress in China as a guest of the CPA, a few years ago.
Mr. Johann van der Walt, Director of PSSA and curator of the Johannesburg part of the exhibition, addressed the guests in Chinese, and mentioned that “Looking at the photographs from the three cities of China, he realised that the South African photographers still have much to learn about documenting our daily life.” (看着来自中国三个城市的照片, 我意识到我们仍然有很多关于记录日常生活的地方值得学习).
The opening ceremony, attended by 200 guests, included world renowned photographer, Dr. Peter Magubane. In a letter afterwards, he had the following words for the organisers: “Congratulations on a really superb and very well curated exhibition”.
From the PSSA PRO
As PRO I felt very priviledged and honoured to attend the opening of this Exhibition in Rosebank Mall. It was exceptionally well attended, the wine and snacks were first class, the exhibits of the prints from these 4 cities are inspirational, inspiring and very well presented, and a must to experience. It is still going to be open for another week, please make an effort to visit this Exhibition. Congrats to all photographers both Chinese and South African whose images are exhibited here. Attended by many important dignitories from both countries. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO WERE INVOLVED AND SPONSORED THIS SPECIAL EXHIBITION – Evelyn Gibson
THANK YOU TO THE SPONSORS
CPA – sponsor of the Venue Costs and the prints of the Chinese photographs.
Kameraz their hard work to get the venue to look so beuatiful in such a short time and allowing us to make use of FotoZA for this exhibition
PhotovaultOnline.com and Hein Waschefort for sponsoring the costs of the prints of the Johannesburg photos.
SOME PICTURES OF THE EVENT
What you see below are thumbnails only. Click on an image to enlarge it. Then use the icons on the image to go forward, backward or run it as a slideshow.
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