China's Cultural Revolution, 1966: Works by Solange Brand

 
MAY 26, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- BOSTON
 
Press Contact: Hank Hauptmann, [email protected] 
High-resolution digital images available upon request
 
© SOLANGE BRAND
Marking the 50th anniversary of China's Cultural Revolution, Robert Klein Gallery in association with Ars Libri, Ltd., present the rarely-seen color photographs of Solange Brand   
 

In May of 1966, Mao Zedong began a sociopolitical movement that would restore his position of absolute power that was lost after the failed Great Leap Forward. Known as the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, Mao's campaign would lead to the persecution, imprisonment, public humiliation, and deaths of millions of Chinese people, as well as the destruction of historical artifacts and relics, and the ransacking of Chinese cultural and religious sites.

At the same time, SOLANGE BRAND, then a nineteen-year-old secretary at the French Embassy in Beijing, would be an unknowing witness to one of the most tumultuous periods in Chinese history. W ith her 35mm Pentax camera and a supply of Agfacolor film, purchased and developed in embassy shops in Hong Kong, Brand, for her own recollection, photographed the events which would unfold around her.  

© SOLANGE BRAND 


Of the work, Brand states, "The pictures were not taken to prove anything; they were just a personal memento of a moment when I had no idea this would be an important period in the history of China. The photos show nothing of the dark side of the Cultural Revolution because I never witnessed it. Like all photographs, they reveal a fragment of reality and acquire meaning only when captioned or placed in context."

This exhibition opens during SoWa First Fridays, with a rec eption at ROBERT KLEIN GALLERY @ ARS LIBRI from 5:30PM to 7:30PM. The event is free and open to the public.
© SOLANGE BRAND
 

"Here is a further demonstration of how the most modest photography can intersect with history; that Brand's images seem so ordinary and yet so ominous reinforces their allure. And yes, they may be amateur photographs, but Brand was nevertheless an excellent photographer."

-Martin Parr and WassinkLundgren, from "The Chinese Photobook, published by Aperture"  


© SOLANGE BRAND
 
 
For further information and press images, please contact Hank Hauptmann at [email protected] or 617.267.7997.
 



Robert Klein Gallery // 38 Newbury St Boston MA 02116
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Saturday, 11 AM - 5 PM

Robert Klein Gallery @ Ars Libri // 500 Harrison Ave Boston MA 02118
Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 6 PM
Saturday, 11 AM - 5 PM