Screens As Faces and Façades: Old Order and New Media - Screens on Tiananmen Square in Beijing

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Authors

High-tech, site-specific, screens on Tiananmen Square seemed to have been built as technologically ‘up-to-date’ visual proof for the ongoing modernization process of Chinese society. Tiananmen Tower opposite the screens holds the iconic Mao portrait on its façade. Traditional screen paintings were placed inside as well as outside to define space, provide intimacy and place. Following Wu Hung, a screen has a 'face' and a 'back'. I will analyze the significance of these screens: as a remediation (Bolter and Grusin) of Chinese traditional screens and as 'furniture' for nation building. There is a pair of hi-tech screens on Tiananmen square which was installed in 2009 at the occasion of the People's Republic 60th anniversary. I visited the screen-equipped square in 2012 and 2013.
Original languageEnglish
Article number2
JournalModern China Studies
Issue number1
ISSN2160-0295
Publication statusPublished - 2016
Externally publishedYes

    Research areas

  • Digital media - contemporary Chinese media culture, urban screen, screen painting, contemporary China, public space, remediation