The post-eighties generation in China

Art Radar just published an interview in which Ou Ning discusses the "Post-80's" in relation to art and culture in China.

"“I am very interested in their energy and I work with many of them, too. Under one pole, some of them are very satisfied with their well-off lives and produce ‘comfortable’ works. Under another pole, some are creating meaningful impact already."

Read the whole thing on Art Radar Asia: artradarjournal.com/?p=9679

very interesting, thanks for the post
But I guess some assumptions about the post-1980s generation is very generalising. To say that post-1980s are not politically aware is quite paradoxical to his early claim about this generation being more internationalised. The generation is perhaps not as politically active, but that doesn't necessarily mean that most of them are not aware of what's happening in the country. With the convinience of internet and opportunities to go abroad, I think this generation are more exposed to negative reports about China. Hence you have the protestations against CNN etc. This is just one example to prove that many of this generation is very politically aware, and even active, just not quite in an expected way. I think that must got something to do with age as well, when this generation grows older, more sophisticated voices will come out - just like how Ou Ning's generation has now come into their sophistication.

Having said all that, I really appreciate Ou Ning's work on expanding public spaces and venues for this generation to speak out. After all, it is usually that the more you speak, the more critical and articulate you get!
Posted by: PenguinA | October 31, 2008 12:57 PM

I think Ou Ning is self-serving and over-rated. His comments are closing in on the mark, but always seem to be too pop intellectual for me.
In agreement with PenguinA's comment above, a small correction is that Ou Ning doesn't consider himself a part of the Post 80s, merely a "commentator," or ivory tower sort of observer. I say, with over-rated exhibitions like Get it Louder, of which he is a co-curator (NOT head curator, nor sole responsibility for), a show has been heavily branded and sponsored by all kinds of trendy media, and is itself a kind of marketing technique, I can't really see what makes him different from the people who he tries to place himself above.
Posted by: blargh | November 21, 2008 8:18 PM