We Chinese - street portraits and interviews about China and its future

February 1, 2011 3:17 AM

We Chinese - street portraits and interviews about China and its future [via mefi projects] "In 2010, I traveled to major urban centers in eastern China stopping people on the street to ask the same two questions about their country and their future."

From the projects page: "This project grew out of a curiosity to find out what Chinese people think about their country and their future.

"In 2010, I traveled to major urban centers in eastern China stopping people on the street to ask the same two questions about their country and their future: "What does China mean to you?" and "What is your role in China's future?"

"The respondents filled out a one-page typewritten questionnaire that included these two questions and some basic information including name, age, and occupation.... The final project incorporates about 100 portraits/interviews and includes people of various ages, gender, wealth, and hometown. For each person in the project, between five and ten declined to be photographed or fill out the questionnaire. You can read more about the project here."

posted by smoke (8 comments total)

Interesting project. I find it fascinating talking to my colleagues about where they see China heading, they all see China growing so fast and find it exciting but a little unnerving too.
posted by arcticseal at 3:41 AM on February 1, 2011

even a 15 year old had fascinating (yet very similar to the other) comments about china. thanks for the post.
posted by anya32 at 7:16 AM on February 1, 2011

Huh. Flattr api is about to go down. Link may be borked.
posted by thsmchnekllsfascists at 7:35 AM on February 1, 2011

NVM. Sorry to threadshit. Great project.
posted by thsmchnekllsfascists at 7:38 AM on February 1, 2011

In my too brief experience in the country, the nationalistic pride of the people there is palpable. They are very proud of what they have accomplished so far and they should be. They have a long way to go in many crucial areas - education, infrastructure, social issues - but it's a fascinating story so far.
posted by bpdavis at 7:53 AM on February 1, 2011

Optimism. It's like America in the 19th century before the Civil War. Folks recognize things are still messy now, but the belief that the country is on an inevitable, upward swing is absolute. Let's just hope they play nicer than we did. Not sure if this world can handle another country drinking the Manifest Destiny kool-aid.
posted by jng at 8:35 AM on February 1, 2011

Thanks for the post!
posted by msbrauer at 8:41 AM on February 1, 2011

Great idea msbrauer (and great portraits) - my pedant's nit-pick is how come people's names are all one word in pinyin? Sort it out! :p
posted by Abiezer at 9:01 AM on February 1, 2011