1st place
gold star award
Fang Tong
canada
title
Soap Opera
The attempt here is to build the stage as a means of performance, with the camera fixed at the same point of view each time. The camera records each scene, composed of actors and artificial backgrounds in a performance of daily life, forming a cinematic series. The audience is immersed in the scene while at the same time they also seem to be a bystander, slowly seeking their own answers.
Throughout my career, I have explored many aspects of traditional visual media - specifically oil painting, sculpture, installation art and digital media such as 2D and 3D design, and this has brought me great satisfaction.
Gradually, I became intrigued with photography. Through the lens, it opens up a great world where I feel so much passion.
I love my work to border on the surreal yet hold back enough to keep it firmly in the real world. My photos provoke audiences into creating a narrative out of cinematic pictures. Maybe there is no clearly defined story behind the scene, but there is a strong mood and atmosphere throughout the whole image. The imaginary world is strangely familiar while the narrative arc takes audiences on a hyper-visual ride through people's subconsciousness. I love this balance between the real and the surreal that pulls my audiences into my world.
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entry description
The soap opera format is a form of performance which most appropriately reflects a current state of life. The stage is always full of charm for me. The stage, with its condensed and slightly rough scene structures, allows people to look forward to the continuation of the scene as a reflection of real life. The roughness of the deliberately constructed backgrounds produces a visually non-authentic effect as well as some symbolic meaning. The beauty of the concentration of life elements is also integrated with some abstract feeling. I have always had a love between the real and surreal, which produces a sense of freedom.The attempt here is to build the stage as a means of performance, with the camera fixed at the same point of view each time. The camera records each scene, composed of actors and artificial backgrounds in a performance of daily life, forming a cinematic series. The audience is immersed in the scene while at the same time they also seem to be a bystander, slowly seeking their own answers.
about the photographer
I am a Chinese-born Canadian. Currently I am living in Vancouver BC.Throughout my career, I have explored many aspects of traditional visual media - specifically oil painting, sculpture, installation art and digital media such as 2D and 3D design, and this has brought me great satisfaction.
Gradually, I became intrigued with photography. Through the lens, it opens up a great world where I feel so much passion.
I love my work to border on the surreal yet hold back enough to keep it firmly in the real world. My photos provoke audiences into creating a narrative out of cinematic pictures. Maybe there is no clearly defined story behind the scene, but there is a strong mood and atmosphere throughout the whole image. The imaginary world is strangely familiar while the narrative arc takes audiences on a hyper-visual ride through people's subconsciousness. I love this balance between the real and the surreal that pulls my audiences into my world.
back to gallery