Photos Highlight Untold Beauty of Taiwan
Traveling to Taiwan is no longer just a dream for many mainland tourists. But most tourists are not able to photograph all of the things they would like because of time constraints and designated travel itineraries. In this sense, the photojournalist Wang Jianhua is a lucky man. He was able to spend one month on the island recording his impressions with his camera. So what are his photos about? And has he recorded a new perspective of this charming island on the East China Sea?
The photojournalist Wang Jianhua may not be as famous or as popular as the news anchors or the music DJs, but he has become a news maker with his latest photo exhibition. Why? Because his photos show some aspects of Taiwan that have rarely been experienced by ordinary visitors from the Chinese mainland.
Wang Jianhua works in the photo department at Xinhua News Agency, the major news organization for the Chinese mainland. In May of 2004, he embarked on a one-month reporting tour of Taiwan, as part of an exchange program.
645)this.width=645" border=0>
Xinhua photojournalist Wang Jianhua points to one of his photographs at his exhibition of photos from Taiwan in Beijing. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]
Although nearly four years have passed since he returned from the island, Wang Jianhua says his memory of the trip is still fresh.
"I was very excited when I was informed of the mission. By then, I had already worked for about eight years as a photographer for Xinhua News Agency and I had covered a variety of news events. However, Taiwan is a subject that all Chinese are interested in. So I really cherished the opportunity to go there as a photojournalist."
Being a photojournalist enables a person to record vivid images in places that are not frequented by most people, like war-stricken areas or high-profile international conferences. This is a true reflection of much of Wang Jianhua's work experience. From 2000 to 2002, He served as Xinhua's correspondent to the Middle East and witnessed some of the major events in that hot area, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the U.S.-led military operations in Afghanistan. This contrasts sharply with Wang's experience in Taiwan.
"There are two major differences. First, when I reported on the Middle East peace process and the U.S.-led strike in Afghanistan, I could feel a sense of the exotic. But in Taiwan, no matter where I went, I could feel a cultural identity with everything I experienced there, including the language. Secondly, my coverage of the above-mentioned areas and the tsunami-hit Southeast Asian nations were all related to war or disaster, but Taiwan is a peaceful region. This enabled me to report on the everyday life of the ordinary people."
A mainland tourist might be able to see only a few places in Taiwan, mostly the big cities like Taipei or Kaohsiung. But that only accounts for a small proportion of the 40 photos shown in Wang Jianhua's exhibition. He explains that some of the less famous towns are also worth mentioning.
"I found a lot of distinctive small towns in Taiwan, each of them with their own outstanding features and rich cultural background. These places have also taken on a new look during the past few years. I think they are more attractive than the modern cities like Taipei or Kaohsiung. So I zeroed in on the distinctive towns as a photographer, and I tried to perceive the traces of succession and development in the Chinese traditions."
645)this.width=645" border=0>
A food stall in Jiufen, a small town near Taipei. [Photo courtesy of Wang Jianhua]
Trying the local food is an important part of every journey. So where should a traveler go to find the area's best restaurant or food seller. Wang Jianhua recommends one of the towns that he has photographed.
"There is a small mountain town called Jiufen in Northern Taiwan. It is not far from Taipei. You can get there by subway and bus. The town and the neighboring county, called Jin'guashi, once flourished due to the gold rush in Taiwan but then declined afterwards. Recently, the area has been revitalized by tourism and now many people know it as a miniature of the mountain town culture and the home of authentic local snacks, such as fish balls. So I think it is a typical town of northern Taiwan."
645)this.width=645" border=0>
Two women on motorized bicycles meet near a farm in Meinong, a Hakka town in southern Taiwan. [Photo courtesy of Wang Jianhua]
With the ever-closer cross-Straits business links, mainland people are discovering that many of the fresh fruits and vegetables found in the supermarkets are from southern Taiwan. Wang Jianhua says this only represents a small part of what the area can offer.
"For example, I photographed a Hakka town called Meinong. The Hakka culture is embodied in many of the town's characteristics, including the people's costumes, the local cultural activities and the economy, such as the manufacturing of paper umbrellas. In addition, there is a folk culture village in the town. So everything you see there reflects a succession of the Hakka culture."
645)this.width=645" border=0>
Rowers race their boats to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival in Taiwan. [Photo courtesy of Wang Jianhua]
The photojournalist recalls that as he traveled through the island from north to south, every place he visited had its own subtle and unique personality. The differences he encountered throughout his one-month tour are what kept him happy.
The common activities of common people also attracted Wang Jianhua's camera. One photo is of two elderly men chatting along the street. Another shows a group of energetic rowers in a Dragon Boat festival. There is also a photo of a group of young couples in a group wedding ceremony and a crowd of parents as they pick up their children from a school.
Which photo is Wang Jianhua's favorite? Wang Jianhua picks one up. But surprisingly, it is only a photo of several pupils learning how to make clay figurines in a class.
The picture is neither impressive in terms of the subjects nor creative in terms of photographic technique. In addition, clay figurines can be found in many parts of China.
In Wang Jianhua's opinion, this photo demonstrates the internal bond between the mainland and Taiwan, such as the common hope to preserve traditional Chinese craftsmanship. Moreover, the choice of figurines for the Taiwan students is thought provoking.
645)this.width=645" border=0>
A boy with thick makeup and colorful head decorations participates in a sacrifice ritual in Taiwan. [Photo courtesy of Wang Jianhua]
"The technique for making clay figurines in Taiwan is no different from the traditional techniques. However, the mainland craftsmen usually base their artwork on characters from ancient literature or dramas, such as the warriors Zhang Fei and Li Kui. But the Taiwan people prefer to make figurines of popular cartoon characters, such as Doraemon and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. In this way, they have given a modern twist to the traditional art. I found that the pupils were very interested in the figurines and some of them will be ready to inherit and develop this art naturally in the future. That is why the photo impresses me so much."
His opinion is echoed by Wang Kai from Canon (China) Co., Ltd. He helped to organize the photo exhibition. To him, the most attractive photo is about a young boy participating in a sacrifice ritual, in thick makeup and a drama costume.
"I think people who practice sacrifice rituals in the Chinese mainland may not put on makeup and decorations like the people in this photo. The photo helps me to better understand the cultural and human aspects of Taiwan"
The photo exhibition only includes part of Wang Jianhua's total work from Taiwan. He says he will be pleased if people can remember some of the images from this beautiful island. And if they want to know more, they are always welcome to visit his personal website (www.stonerain.cn) to satisfy their curiosity about this region. （CRIENGLISH.com ）