Photo Series - Restriction, Repression, and Rebellion
About the Genre
Inspired by the rebellious spirit of street photography, developed with a sense of social consciousness, and implemented with an idea of depicting restrictions in the modern society, I would regard my photo series as conceptual photography.
While I very much like to observe the world around me, unfortunately, I have always failed in preparation of quickly capturing amazing moments like street photographers do. Rather, I prefer to plan thoroughly and get myself well prepared prior to taking any pictures. Hence, a conceptual photographer, Jeff Wall’s idea of collaborating with his subjects and preparing something in advance perfectly works for me. In spite of the fact that Wall’s photos are always meticulous propped, stagged, and directed with post-production, he considers himself a “documentary” photographer as well, since he simply recreates the events that he has experienced in reality.
My photo series are actual events that I saw in real world. By using several restricted signs that we commonly see in our society and collaborating with my “actor” or stand-in, I would like to create not only a piece of work that records what our society looks like, but also a work of art that showcases my creative freedom.
About the Photos
Have you ever told yourself not to do something “inappropriate”, but did it anyway?
The answer is probably yes if you are a human being. When we come across restriction, the feeling of repression arises, and the natural reaction to it is rebellion.
This conceptual series of photos presents social, psychological, and philosophical reflections regarding the theme of Restriction, Repression, and Rebellion, using several restricted signs we often see as a forbidden symbol.
The first two photos reflect the real events that I have experienced in different occasions. By applying the “No Smoking” and “Keep Quiet” symbols, collaborating with actors, and designing the composition and atmosphere of the scene carefully, the conflicts between individual and society, as well as between freedom and restraint, are accented in the photos.
This series is completed by the third photo in which a moral issue is brought out as well. With the temptation and restriction in front of you, are you able to take the ownership of making the right choice of your own? In my photos, I have no intent to judge or criticize any people or rules, but to draw our attention to rethink the meaning of restriction in our society.
