

Art Imitates Art
9 snips Feb 22, 2022
Explore the fascinating world of Dafen Village, where skilled artisans mass-produce replicas of iconic Western artworks. Discover how this vibrant hub in Shenzhen challenges traditional concepts of art, blending authenticity with imitation. Following a mixed media artist's experiment, the discussion dives into the implications of copying and the evolving nature of creativity. Additionally, gain insight into the unique urban villages of Shenzhen, their rich cultural significance, and the vital role they play in the city's ecosystem.
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Initial Impression of Dafen
- Winnie Wong, an art historian, initially dismissed Dafen Village as stereotypical.
- However, upon visiting, she found the question of authenticity more complex than expected.
Shenzhen SEZ
- Dafen Village's transformation was driven by the creation of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone.
- This zone attracted foreign investment with tax benefits, leading to rapid industrial growth.
Huang Jiang's Impact
- Huang Jiang, a painter from Hong Kong, established Dafen's painting industry in 1989.
- He employed an assembly-line approach, dividing labor to mass-produce Western art replicas.