Throughout history, from oppression has spawned some of the most creative, moving and inspirational art and music. China’s internet censorship is becoming the next great space for creative and spontaneous art.
Ai WeiWei Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn
Censorship has been a hurdle for the Chinese web community. Blogs and other content containing ‘politically incorrect’ material often disappear within minutes. One influential blogger Aiweiwei, recently named the most powerful person in art, was arrested in an airplane to HongKong on extremely weak charges. Countless others without this kind of political sway have disappeared completely.
Artists like Pi San choose to test fate, finding creative ways to ‘walk the line’ of censorship, Creating suggestive videos and blogs that subtly hint at current affairs using double meanings and code. These code words are an imaginative tool. As Chinese Artist and blogger Hu Yong says, “Censorship warps us in many ways, but it is also the mother of creativity.”
Many forget that Savvy internet users around china avoid censorship altogether by using Proxies. Also overlooked , are projects such as Edge， which actually use china’s artistic talent, repackaged it and sell it back to major Chinese corporations both public and private! Some think Chinese culture stifles creativity, think again!
If your interested in any of this, check out the upcoming film “The Beginning” about Indi Animation in China.
http://edge.neocha.com/neochaedge-client-work/the-beginning-a-look-at-the-chinese-indie-animation-scene-a-neochaedge-film-production-screening-at-the-sydney-opera-houses-2011-graphic-festival/