After taking some initial Western views to Yang's photograph, I decided that such an angle alone would be of little use to analyze something so foreign in any sort of depth. I already knew a few things about the difference between Chinese and American photography styles, but I felt I really needed to delve into Shanghai at its core; know the people better, read up on some culture, even study up on their architectural background. I was surprised at what I found.Sites like alloexpat.com and theage.com give some simple, easy to digest information, while still remaining quite relevant to such endeavors into learning Shanghai's culture. Both mentioned how the city has long been a center where Western ideas could meet the Chinese people. Shanghai started its "life" as a small fishing port, and, like any good sea-side town, quickly flourished as trade with outsiders began. Since then, even the strictest Communist rule could not completely hold off the flow of Western ideas and money into the prosperous land. This has shown itself within the use of more European-style architecture, the most prominent form around Shanghai. With all this commerce of thoughts and cash, the People's Republic now uses the city as a symbol for their rise to economic power by employing some Western Free-Market ideas with it's local brand of government.
This gives the photograph quite an interesting new spin. In my first post, I already made the distinction between the older generation of Shanghai in contrast to the youth, as represented by those in the background versus the coughing girl walking down the street. Thinking about the city's fusion of new and old China, it is interesting, then, to look at the clothes of those pictured. The older workers in the back are bundled up conservatively as they go about their jobs, with coats and hats that, while quite Western in their design, are focused more on purpose and efficiency than any aesthetic style. On the other hand, the young girl is wearing jeans and a long coat with a shirt that speaks of little except the need for fashion. It doesn't appear she was any too worried when she woke up that morning about the weather outside; she's likely only taking a stroll through town to her next destination. This can easily embody the differences between the work-oriented older generations and the more reward-focused youth.
The nearby building and street also speaks to Shanghai's personality. All of the architecture shown is obviously drawn from European inspiration, but each has their bit of Chinese flair. The road is well-worn from the travel of large populations, some doing more important and strenuous work than others. So, too, does the house on the left show signs of great use. The concrete and boards used to patch up the old structure speak of the city's poorest slum life, and represent the need for functionality over curb-appeal. Those who use the home would much rather be quickly and sufficiently separated from the cold nights than worry about how such patch-jobs may look.
