Yuhan Zheng

The Light is Too Dazzling

This series of self-portraits reflect on the intergenerational relationship between my grandfather and me. By projecting an old photo of my grandfather in uniform onto my body, and a piece of my calligraphy, I highlight our differing perspectives on politics and history. While my grandfather remains loyal to the Communist Party, our generation recognizes the value of respecting heritage while also questioning the political system.

“Through my self-portrait piece titled "The Light is Too Dazzling," I explore the complex relationship between generations amid significant political differences. The artwork comprises two distinct pieces: on the left, I projected an old photograph of my grandfather in his military uniform onto my own body, while on the right, I lay beneath a piece of traditional Chinese calligraphy that I wrote at the age of seven, in honor of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, a symbol of China's golden age.My grandfather has played a significant role in shaping my worldview, encouraging me to explore the world and nurturing my passion for calligraphy. However, our differing political beliefs underscore the vast differences that exist between generations in the face of significant historical events.In the aftermath of the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Chinese Communist Party came to power and claimed legitimacy as the party that led the Chinese people to overthrow imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucrat-capitalism. While my grandfather remains loyal to the Communist Party, our generation tends to be more critical of the political system, recognizing that respecting our heritage does not necessarily entail endorsing the political party in power.”