Xiangluying Fourth Lane I, Chun Shu, Xuanwu District, Beijing

History Images by Sze Tsung Leong, including 22 photographs that show the dramatic urban changes that have transformed cities in China, are part of an ongoing exhibition "New Photography" at the High Museum in Atlanta. Leong states that “these photographs are of cites caught in the tenuous period after the end of one history and at the beginning of another history.” Photographed with a large-format view camera in cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Xi’an, Fengdu and Pingyao, these highly detailed images portray the nationwide process of destroying built history and its replacement with a radically different urban reality.

Leong is, according to himself, "American and British, born Mexico City 1970. Currently lives and works in New York. " His artist statement about the History Images can be found here.

Van Gogh From the Sweatshop

Spiegel Online has published an article by Martin Paetsch, entitled "CHINA'S ART FACTORIES - Van Gogh From the Sweatshop". The article focused on China's southern city Dafen, "Dafen has become the leading production center for cheap oil paintings. An estimated 60 percent of the world's cheap oil paintings are produced within Dafen's four square kilometers (1.5 square miles). Last year, the local art factories exported paintings worth $36 million. Foreign art dealers travel to the factory in the south of the communist country from as far away as Europe and the United States, ordering copies of famous paintings by the container." An article worths reading. Thanks to Joerg Colberg of Conscientious for mentioning the article.

Michael Kenna's Lijiang River

Photo Review says: "Michael Kenna's quiet approach to the environment provides a glimpse into the provocative and subtle serenity of landscape photography. Michael creates dream-like scenes by combining innovative and traditional photographic techniques. The results are soft, stark, enigmatic views of gardens, industrial sites, land, and seascapes from around the world. Water may become a sea of mist or the geometry of human intervention contrasted with a wispy cloud-filled sky. His photographs suggest contemplation and a poetic vision."

Lijiang River provides Michael Kenna a perfect environment to create his images with subtle serenity, dream-like scenes, contemplation and a poetic vision. The irony is, however, those words are so rarely reflected in Chinese contemporary photography and art at large...

Book: Art Photography Now by Susan Bright

Susan Bright's Book Art Photography Now is in paperback now. This contemporary art photography survey presents the work of seventy-six of the most important and best-loved artist-photographers in the world today. Chinese photographer Wang QingSong is featured in the book.