Single Output Portfolio: China's Van Goghs
- Submitting institution
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University of the West of Scotland
- Unit of assessment
- 34 - Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, Library and Information Management
- Output identifier
- 12852711
- Type
- Q - Digital or visual media
- Publisher
- -
- Month
- November
- Year
- 2018
- URL
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- Supplementary information
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- Request cross-referral to
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- Output has been delayed by COVID-19
- No
- COVID-19 affected output statement
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- Forensic science
- No
- Criminology
- No
- Interdisciplinary
- No
- Number of additional authors
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1
- Research group(s)
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- Proposed double-weighted
- No
- Reserve for an output with double weighting
- No
- Additional information
- China’s Van Goghs (80mins, 2016) is a practice-based research output that adopted the methodology of creative documentary filmmaking to provide an insight into the global artistic labour market, where workers rights in China are exploited both by the international market and undermined by Chinese cultural norms.
Adopting an observational approach, Dr. Kiki Tianqi Yu took cameras into the studios of Dafen, the so-called oil-painting village in the city of Shenzen, China, where men and women dedicate themselves to the single-minded reproduction of famous paintings, most notably masterpieces by Vincent van Gogh. The project focuses in particular on one painter, Zhao Xiaoyong. Going beyond the surface phenomena of skilful duplication of international art works, the project seeks to understand the psychological and material obstacles that prevent creative practitioners and their Chinese publics from embracing their own artistic works.
China’s Van Goghs impact has been to change the perceptions and understanding of Chinese artistic labour and the possibility and value of creative originality emanating from within a community and culture that sees such endeavours as politically troublesome. This has been achieved through screenings at over 30 international festivals, where the film has won 8 awards. Wider international audience impact has also been achieved thanks to the theatrical release of the documentary in 4 countries (the Netherlands, Japan, Finland & Italy), and the availability of the film on KLM and Cathay Pacific airline flights from Europe to China. The film was first made available publicly on video on demand with the distributor Cats and Docs in November 2018.
- Author contribution statement
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- Non-English
- No
- English abstract
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